A TKUE  LIFE 


SUSAN  EVERETT. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/healthfragmentsoOOever 


Health  Fragments 

OR, 

STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 

EMBRACING 

HEALTH,  DIGESTION,  DISEASE,  AND  THE  SCIENCE 
OF  THE  REPRODUCTIVE  ORGANS. 


With  One  Yutudved  and  $wcnty-fiw  afUnstratians 

By  KAPPES,  SPIEGLE  AND  TREAT. 


PART  FIRST.  > 

“AO  N 


/v  rop 


w 


fC'T  > A*'  ^ 

BY  f “9  use  c,  Tfir  r'*A 


GEORGE  H.  EVERE|^UM.D.S  Aj 

1 ni)  stfsaSst: ‘ ^ ** ' '■ 1 1 V tcv-  / 

' 4'J  i „ 

" */»'•'  ■<r 


LECTURER  ON  PHYSIOLOGY 


SECOND  EDITION. 

NEW  YORK : 

CHARLES  P.  SOMERBY,  36  DEY 
1875. 


STREET. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1874,  by 
GEO.  H.  EVERETT, 

in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 


Lange,  Little  & Co., 

PRINTERS,  ELECTROTYPERS  AND  STEREOTYPERS, 

1U3  to  114  Wooster  Street,  N.  Y. 


PREFACE. 


This  volume  is  a nugget  from  sultry,  summer 
weeks  following  a "year  of  unusual  labor.  To  my 
friends  this  may  explain  any  want  of  finish 
found  in  the  following  pages.  To  tell  the  old,  old 
• story  of  life,  and  have  it  appear  new  or  fascinating, 
is  no  idle  task ; yet,  I trust,  the  reader  wdll  not  sleep 
over  these  pages.  They  contain  the  latest  and 
freshest  facts  of  science  applied  to  every-day  living, 
such  facts  as  must  render  youth  more  productive, 
middle  age  more  serviceable,  and  old  age  more  grace- 
ful than  life  can  be  without  them.  The  chaste  and 
cheerful  illustrations  herein  employed  have  not 
been,  hitherto,  used  in  connection  with  health  litera- 
ture ; while  Part  II.  from  Mrs.  Everett’s  pen  will 
find  a wmlcome  in  the  hands  of  every  artistic  house- 
keeper. G.  H.  E. 

New  York  City,  August  11,  1874. 


CONTENTS. 


PART  FIRST. 


CHAPTER  I.— Introductory. 

Is  health  a dream,  or  a lost  art  ? — A birthright — Health  means  energy  and  enthusiasm— 
Age  measured  not  by  time — Dyspeptic  pulpit— Why  farmers  are' gluttons — Why  men 
hate  to  grow  old — Boyhood  poor — Manhood  rich— Personal  influence — Body  means 
power — Humorous  history  of  Jonathan — Man’s  dreams  define  his  heritage — Time 
lost  by  disease — Parson’s  visit,  humorous — Preached  him  “ to  sleep  ” — Popular  cred- 
ulity— Panorama  of  death — Sad  summing  up— Remedy 1 — 19 

CHAPTER  n. — Wonders  within  Us. 

Life  and  death  are  twins — The  genius  of  death  slowly  picking  the  body  to  pieces — 
Hunger — Food  determines  beauty — Ugly  and  handsome  women  —Goethe  and  Madam 
Yon  Stein — Vulgarity  of  dyspepsia— Deoortment  at  table — That  Quaker— Great  minds 
and  simple  breakfasts — Gluttony,  its  effects  on  the  eye,  mouth  and  nose — Pimples  on 
the  face — Shall  we  follow  nature  ?— How  far  instincts  should  guide  eating — Shall 
appetite  be  tempted  ’—Appetites  often  determined  before  birth 20 — 34 

CHAPTER  III. — Some  Things  that  concern  Women. 

Of  queens  at  home — Dignity  of  domestic  life — Our  coming  mothers— The  neglected  girl; 
how  reared,  and  what  becomes  of  her — A child’s  battle  for  life — How  fond  mothers 
destroy  their  children — The  last  American  child  is  born — Rights  of  children — Insolent 
children  and  indulgent  parents — Women  meet  disease  half  way 35 — 49 

CHAPTER  IV. — Teeth  and  Digestive  Organs. 

How  to  obtain  and  preserve  teeth — Best  teeth  from  brown  bread — Best  dentifrice — 
Mother’s  story — Healthy  human  digestion— The  mouth  a sugar  factory — Stomach 
secrets  solved — Its  work — Bowel  digestion  the  most  important — Office  of  intestinal 
juices— Medicine,  or  no  medicine  ? 50 — 60 

CHAPTER  V. — Concerning  Food. 

Classification  of  food — Advanced  views — Mineral  matters  for  brain  and  bone — Nitrogen 
for  muscle — Carbonoids  for  heat  and  fat — Leibig’s  protest— Robbery  of  wheat  and 
milk — Cause  of  corpulence — Table  commandments — Bantingism — Fishermen,  their 
food  and  strength — Battle  among  doctors — Leibig  leads  off— Dr.  Flint  on  Weston's 


VI 


CONTENTS, 


walk— Does  fat  or  phosphorus  nourish  brain  ?— What  feeds  a fool  ?— Goodnatured- 
food— Composition  of  brain— Idiots  and  genius  compared— Influences— Brain  work 
and  waste— Cause  of  neuralgia— Poor  memory — Boys  grow  stupid  on  rice  and  corn 
meal — What  foods  for  strength  ? 61 77 

CHAPTER  VI.— Wjieat,  Oats,  and  Corn. 

Strange  theories  from  strained  facts — Doctors  and  diet — Prevalent  professional  ignorance, 
humorous— How  the  Yankee  applied  Leibig’s  theory,  humorous — Why  unboTted  flour 
is  best— Brown  bread  builds  teeth  and  starves  dentists,  humorous  protest — Food 
required  in  twenty-four  hours— Pale  girls— How  to  color  the  cheek— Practical  sum- 
mary of  food,  applied  to  persons  and  seasons— Analysis  of  man— Ditto  of  food— Oat- 
meal makes  fleet  horses  and  strong  men— It  compared  with  corn  meal— Beans  vs. 
Rice— Yankee  vs.  Chinaman— Bean-fed  horses  are  swift 78—103 

CHAPTER  VII.— More  about  Food. 

Animal  and  vegetable  diet  compared— Diet  and  passional  nature— Animal  food— Beef, 
veal,  mutton,  pork— Game— Potatoes  with  and  without  skins— Turnips,  Onions  and 
lettuce— The  Irishman  and  ten  pounds  of  potatoes— Aristocracy  of  food-invalid 
makers — Habitual  constipation 104—117 

CHAPTER  VIII. — Condiments,  Tea  and  Coffee. 

Do  condiments  do  harm — How  not  to  abuse  them — Pickles— Wine  in  pudding  sauces — 
Women  must  break  the  wine  cup — Where  woman’s  wit  goes — Sick  headache  and 
spices — Coffee,  its  charms  and  dangers — Coffee  prevents  normal  waste  of  tissue— 
Coffee  and  skin— Tea  and  Nervousness— Chocolate— Cocoa,  etc 118-131 

CHAPTER  IX. — Who  Eats  Correctly  must  Think  Correctly. 

Winter  food  in  Summer  bad—  Vice  versa— How  often  to  eat— One  hundred  and  nineteen 
pounds  of  smoked  Yankee — Feeding  children  between  meals— Eating  when  tired — 
When  to  eat  the  best  meal — Why  we  dream — What  shall  we  eat— Never  eat  unless 
hungry — Food  that  “ touches  the  spot  ” — How  long  to  chew  a mouthful  of  bread — 
How  many  kinds  of  food  at  one  meal— Shall  we  eat  pie  ? — How  much  money  for 
eating  purposes 133-153 

CHAPTER  X.— Catarrh. 

Symptoms  of  catarrh — Nose— Catarrh  a cause  of  deafness — Ear  discharges— Cause  and 
cure — “ Weeping  eye”  and  catarrh — Treatment — Bad  breath — Catarrh  a blood  disease — 
Scrofulous  catarrh — Dyspeptic  catarrh — It  and  weak  back — Dry  skin  and  constipation— 
Doctors  treatment  of  catarrh — Absurdity  of  snuffs — Treatment  of  catarrh  made 


simple 154-173 

CHAPTER  XI. — “False”  or  Bronchial  Consumption. 

Its  symptoms — Progress— Curability — Treatment  by  inhalation — The  only  rational  means — 
Asthma — Hay  Asthma— Catarrh— Throat  diseases — Their  cause  and  cure 174-183 

CHAPTER  XII. — Air,  its  relation  to  Health  and  Disease. 


Lung  food — Breathing— Ten  hogshead  bed-rooms — Open  windows— Night  air — Lamps  in 
sleeping  rooms,  never — Scrofula  from  impure  air— Air  in  sick  rooms — The  lungs  a 
system  of  air-bladders — Mothers  develope  scrofula  in  their  children — How  much  air 
do  we  need  ? 184-193 

CHAPTER  Xin.— Consumption. 

Its  hopefulness— Muffled  steps— Its  aristocracy— Consumptive’s  farewell — Pale  immortal 
at  the  river  side— A blood  disease — Scrofulous  consumption— Why  consumption  is 
dangerous — Three  stages,  effusion,  consolidation,  and  breaking  down  of  the  tissue— 
Bleeding  of  lungs — Sputa— What  is  scrofula — Salt  rheum  ? 194-203 

CHAPTER  XIV. — Consumption  (Concluded). 

Physical  signs— Educated  physicians  seldom  differ— Pain,  cough,  bleeding,  and  sputa  are 
no  certain  signs— Other  symptoms — How  told — One  “ lung  gone  ” or  “half  gone”  is 
all  nonsense — Only  ignorant  doctors  use  such  terms — Woman’s  dress  promotes  con- 
sumption— Proper  proportions  of  head,  neck,  chest  and  waist — Hereditary  taint- 
idleness  and  eating — Dust,  moisture — Sleeping  with  consumptives— Dry  air  arrests 
consumption — Minnesota  and  New  England — Treatment — Clothing  chest — Breathing 
— Exercise— Climate— Generous  diet — “ Pure  cod  liver  oil  ” — Medicated  inhalations 

save  thousands 204-216 

CHAPTER  XV.— Concerning  Sight  and  Hearing. 

The  eye  — Its  structure  — Diseases  — Meibomian  glands — Stye  — Tarsal  ophthalmia  — 
“ Weeping  eye  ” — Hlustration— Cause  and  cure — Amaurosis — Inflamed  eyes — Treat- 
ment-Cataract cured  by  surgery— Cross  eyes— Operation  for— Simple  and  certain— 
Fully  explained  by  engravings — Why  they  should  never  be  left  crooked — Deafness- 
Running  ear — Cause  and  cure — Practical  hints — Thickening  of  “ ear  drum” — Exami- 
nation o'f  ear 217—230 


CONTENTS. 


Vll 


CHAPTER  XVI. — For  Women. 

Pubescent  period— Menses— Cause— Uterus— Ovules  and  ovary — Fallopian  tube— Whence 
menstrual  fluid? — How  often— Should,  be  painless— Irregular,  profuse  and  sup- 
pressed menstruation— Pain  at  period — Cause  and  treatment — Ulceration  of  womb  as 
simple  as  an  ulcerated  finger — Cauterization  unnecessary  in  almost  every  case — 
‘•Whites” — Cause  and  treatment — Uterine  leucorrhoea— Pruritis— Cause  and  cure— 
Falling  womb — its  chief  cause — Pessaries? — Supporters — Treatment — Parentage — The 
child  represents  every  thought  of  the  mother  during  pregnancy — Treatment  of  preg- 
nancy— Abortion — Venery  during  gestation — Rules  by  which  the  child  may  be  born 
with  soft  bones — How  to  insure  easy  labor;— A bird’s-eye  view  of  the  whole  situa- 
tion   231 — 239 

CHAPTER  XVII. — Concerning  Men. 

Functions  and  abuse  of  reproductive  organs — Male  hysteria— Onanism — Lost  manhood— 
How  society  suffers  from  misconception — Pubescent  period  of  the  boy — Its  dangers — 
. What  gauges  his  nervous  power— Its  relation  to  development  of  mind  and  body — 
Whence  tiis  strength,  charm — Relation  of  sex  power  to  intellect,  pride,  energy,  and 
personality— The  million  listen  only  to  those  well  developed  sexually — Love  after 
fifty — Pubescent  period  determines  the  man’s  status  in  life — Marriage-bed  consecrated — 
Children  born  of  decrepitude  at  a disadvantage — Law  of  sex  congress — What  is  excess? 
—What  is  sexual  temperance  for  every  age,  sex.  and  condition? — What  is  a pure  life  ? — 
Symptoms  of  excess— Nervous  symptoms— Other  conspicuous  symptoms — Secret  vice 
—Evidences — Terrible  results  to  morals — Effects  upon  offspring  who  are  predisposed 
to  super-sexual  sensitiveness — Sexual  weakness— Seed,  what  it  is  and  does— Effect 
of  its  absorption  on  the  nervous  system — Symptoms  of  the  contrary — Is  virility  a bur- 
den or  a weakness  ? — What  is  a sexually  healthy  man  ? — Chaste  parentage  and  a pure 
life — Pure  men — Necessity  of  continence  to  men  of  large  and  active  brains — Thorough 
and  effective  treatment  of  the  several  phases  of  sexual  debility — Tobacco  and  liquors 
— Diet— Medicines— A chaste  and  profitable  discussion 240—256 


PART  SECOND. 


CHAPTER  I.— Dress. 

Woman’s  dress  and  disease — Three  essential  rules — Undergarments — Best  material — How 
many  suits  worn  at  a time — “ Combination  garments  "'illustrated  and  explained — Che- 
mise and  Roman  toga — How  drawers  must  be  made — All  about  underskirts,  corsets, 
garters,  pads,  belts,  etc. — New  method  of  suspending  woman’s  clothing,  illustrated — 
The- old  system  compared  with  the  new  “ Combination  garment  ” 1 — 10 

CHAPTER  IT. — Hereditary  Genius. 

The  History  of  men  as  mothers  made  them — Leading  traits  transmissable — What  a 
mother  has  can  she  give  to  her  offspring  ? — Age,  experience,  youth,  immorality  ; all 
written  on  the  child— What  the  Queen  of  Scots’ and  the  handsome  Darnley  did — Son 
of  Napoleon  I.  and  his  mother — Influential  Hebrews  sprang  from  aaed  loins— Sarah — 
Syrian  grandmother — Reuben,  unstable  as  water — Judah,  the  lion’s  whelp— David — 
Solomon  with  a loose  screw — Caligula — Nero — Lord  Bacon  and  his  great  mother — 
Milton’s  low  idea  of  woman — His  common  wives  and  unknown  children — Edwards 
and  Wesley  had  great  mothers — Pitt,  Fox,  Goethe,  and  Napoleon  all  represent  their 
mothers— Children  of  prayer — Mills— Samuel  vs.  Ishmael— Next  to  God  woman  has 
most  to  do  in  improving  the  race — When  men  reckon  children  without  mothers — A 
new  thing  in  the  statue  line  for  prospective  mothers — Nicodemuses  of  the  world — 
Quakers  and  pentacostal  day — Good  time  coming — A chapter  full  of  inspiration  for 
every  American  mother T 11 — 18 

CHAPTER  III. — Home  Education  op  Children. 

Next  to  birth  is  home  life— Shiftlessness  is  immoral— Three  principles:  Don’t  wait  upon 
children,  Teach  a child  to  work.  Teach  it  exactness — Idleness — McDonald  and  the 

frandmother — Kindergartens — Wasteful  to  unlearn  things — Work  as  a means  of 
evelopment— Influence  of  the  needle — Men  drifting  from  home,  wives  carried  with 
them — Child  manners— Modesty,  Quaker  training — True  politeness— Physical  culture 
— Proper  kind  of  dress  for  children — Religious  training  of  children — Example  of  Rus- 
kin 19—25 


CHAPTER  IV.— Sex  in  Education. 

First  Hebrew  love  story — Sex  slimes  everything  of  to-day — “ Professor  ” tells  his  pupils 
wrhat  eafch  sex  can  and  cannot  do — Womanhood— The  exotic  of  the  ages— What  it 
asks— What  man  knows  of  woman’s  experiences— Mabel  Jones — What  Dr.  Clacken- 
boss  says — Mabel  goes  home  with  a lump  in  her  throat — Her  dream— A short  talk 
which  contains  the  key  to  sex  in  education. -• 26 — 29 


via 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  V.— Courtesy  between  Husbands  and  Wives. 

Marriage  is  sacredness  or  baseness— Give  and  take— Play  of  judgment  between  husband 
and  wife — How  to  make  the  worst  marriage  endurable— Gossiping— infidelity — Inde- 
cency of  parading  social  troubles— Politeness  between  husband  and  wife— No  sham 
will  do— Sound  to  the  core — Each  won  by  gentle  looks,  try  it — How  heroic  quali- 
ties are  born — A story — Worst  enemy  within— Most  married  people  poltroons  when 
trouble  comes— A teachable  spirit  needful 30—33 

CHAPTER  VI.— Hints  upon  Kitchen  and  Dinino-room. 

What  a kitchen  should  be — Character  of  the  housekeeper  known  by  her  kitchen — How  to 
save  labor — Kitchen  conveniences— Painted  floors— No  dark  closets— Neatness— Cook- 
ing stoves  and  ranges — Description  of  shelves,  drawers,  meal-chests,  water,  etc — Ser- 
vants, the  fewer  the  better— Proper  treatment  of  servant  girls.  Dininq-room — “ The 
dinner-party  the  highest  expression  of  civilization” — Always  preside  at  your  own 
table— Perfect  tabie— Artistic  housekeeper— Clouded  brows  at  table — Sons  and 
daughters  as  table- waiters — Novelty  in  food— The  future  home  34—39 

CHAPTER  Vn.— Hints  upon  Bathing. 

Condition  of  person  before  bath— Not  bathe  when  weary — Best  time  to  bathe— Tempera- 
ture of  the  room— Use  of  soap— Foot-baths — Hip  or  sitz-bath,  how  taken,  when  and 
what  for — Vapor  or  Turkish  bath— Every  person  can  take  one  at  home  at  expense  of 
five  cents — How  ? 40—41 

CHAPTER  VIII.— Cookery. 

Practical  hints  relative  to  the  preparation  of  food,  to  which  is  added  recipes  and  sugges- 
tions which  shall  wisely  guide  the  artistic  woman  to  the  management  of  a model 
table,  and  healthy  household  directions  for  best  varieties  of  brown  bread,  given  in 
full.  In  short,  it  is  intended  to  supply  just  what  every  housekeeper  needs 42—52 


A beautiful  octavo  volume.  Large  new  type.  Tinted  paper. 
125  handsome  and  humorous  illustrations,  gilt  back  and  side 
stamp.  English  clotb.  Price  $2.  The  Book  will  sell  itself. 


Its  Authors  are  widely-known  Lecturers  and  Health  Teachers,  and 
are  competent  to  speak  with  authority  upon  matters  referred  to  in  this 
volume. 

Agents  Wanted. 

Address, 

Geo.  SI,  Everett,  ITS.  I>„  or  IWrs.  Susan  Everett,  M.  JO, 

P.  O.  Box  1812,  New  York  City. 


CHAPTER  1. 

INTRODUCTORY. 


§ 1.  Is  Health  a Dream  or  a “Lost  Art?’’ 

Health  crowns  all  else.  The  flush  of  youth, 
the  well-tempered  ways  of  middle  life,  the  strong 
arm  which  wins  great  battles,  the  sublime  courage 
for  the  hero  of  each  day,  the  Christian’s  walk  and 
ways,  the  peaceful  waiting  of  the  latter  days,  the 
great  eternity  we  meet  beyond ; all  these,  and  more, 
depend  upon  a well-conditioned  life,  expressed  by 
the  familiar  term  good  health. 

It  is  more  than  absence  of  pain.  It  means  more 

than  to  sleep  soundly  and  work  willingly.  It  means 

1 


ur.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


the  best  possible  expression  of  life  force.  It  means 
culture,  a clear  skin,  a bright  eye,  a tinted  cheek, 
and  limbs  that  “ ache  with  strength.”  With  it,  the 
eagle  dwells  in  the  clouds ; without  it,  he  is  dull  and 
stupid  as  a barn-yard  fowl.  With  it  come  Swiss 
carols,  and  other  wild  warbles  from  a full  heart ; 
without  it,  even  youth  becomes  dull  and  pale,  old 
and  haggard ; and  the  hateful  language  of  suffering 
supplants  that  of  song.  Health  means  energy,  am- 
bition, enthusiasm,  a divine  activity  which  conse- 
crates all  the  quickened  purposes  of  a royal  soul. 

Its  opposite  is  torpor,  idleness,  stupidity,  gan- 
grene, jealousy,  suspicion,  misanthropy,  crime. 
Youth  is  clothed  with  everything  beautiful  and 
attainable;  while  we  identify  old  age  with  lifeless 
leaves  and  withered  branches.  It  does,  but  should 
not,  mean  disease. 

We  reluctantly  part  with  youth,  and  unwillingly 
watch  our  gray  hairs.  “ I am  so  sorry  I’m  growing 
old!”  said  a father  while  gazing  on  his  sweet-faced 
daughter.  Hot  because  silver  hairs  are  unbeautiful 

o 

of  themselves  ; but  we  associate  them  with  decrepi- 
tude, a slow  step,  a staggering  mind,  a stagnant 
memory. 

Age  is  measured  not  by  time — we  grow  old  be- 
cause we  lose  the  hope  and  aspiration,  the  bloom 
and  charm  of  youth.  How  unlovely  is  life  with  its 
■clubbed  feet,  its  dimmed  vision,  its  bald  head,  pirn- 


A THREAD  OF  GOLD. 


3 


pled  face  and  blossomed  nose ! Wliat  more  cheer- 
ful than  a graceful  old  woman,  or  a grand  old  man 
of  eighty,  in  whom  dwell  the  ardor  of  youth,  and 
the  peacefulness  of  an  Autumn  eve  ? 

Infancy,  age,  strength,  weakness,  smiles,  tears, 
hope,  despair,  success,  failure,  are  only  partial  ex- 
pressions of  that  force,  which,  like 

§ 2.  “A  Thread  of  Gold,” 

runs  through  every  organized  individual,  vegetable 

O t/  O / o 

or  animal,  grouping  individuals  into  families,  families 
into  communities,  and  these  into  more  complex  com- 
binations, where  strife,  conquest,  disease,  and  death 
in  turn  prevail. 

A little  seed  is  planted  in  the  earth,  then  a shrub, 
and  ere  long  an  oak  shades  an  acre.  A little  cell, 
the  first  expression  of  physiological  life,  an  infini- 
tesimal bladder  with  fluid  contents,  keeps  unfolding, 
and  unfolding,  until  we  see  the  worm,  the  butterfly, 
the  bee,  the  bird,  the  elephant,  or  the  mastodon, 
which  makes  the  earth  tremble  with  his  tread. 
Even  more  wonderful  is  the  new-born  babe,  poorest 
and  most  helpless  of  all.  To-day  he  fills  a cradle, 
to-morrow  he  makes  and  controls  mighty  engines, 
dragging  millions  of  tons  through  the  air  swifter 
than  the  flight  of  a bird,  or  ploughing  the  deep 
with  some  monster  vessel,  contending  with  the 
tempest.  A little  later  he  seizes  a chain  of  fire, 
and  binds  distant  continents,  until  the  pulse-beat  of 


4 


DR.  EVERETT'S  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


Paris  is  felt  in  America.  This  variety  of  expression, 
the  seed,  the  flower,  the  fragrance,  the  fruit ; this 
wonderful  force  which  converts  the  acorn  into  an 
oak,  the  cell  into  a mastodon,  the  babe  into  a New- 
ton, sailing  among  the  stars  and  proclaiming  the 
marriage  of  distant  worlds ; this  strange  wonder- 
working force  we  call  life,  vitality.  Its  study  in- 
creases in  interest  as  ourselves  become  involved  with 
it,  and  we  more  clearly  understand  our  relations  to 
time,  disease,  and  health. 

§ 3.  Health  a Birthright. 

Occasionally  a soul  barters  its  body  for  some 
heroic  stride  heavenward,  but  such  cases  are  excep- 
tional. The  religious  martyr,  a brave  fireman,  sailor, 
soldier,  or,  above  them  all,  some  silent,  suffering 
woman,  sitting  beyond  the  gaze  of  vulgar  eyes,  toll- 
ing: out  her  strength  over  some  unfortunate  child  or 
unworthy  husband,  counting  stars  for  a rosary,  and 
snatching:  moments  of  slumber  while  the  angels 
watch  her  wasted  features.  Such  as  these,  there  are, 
who  find’  shorter  paths  to  heaven ; but,  for  most 
mortals,  the  way  is  steep  and  rugged,  requiring  a 
stout  frame,  strong  limbs,  and  a brave,  healthy 
heart. 

Health  is  the  birthright  of  every  child  well  born, 
of  every  man  who  wisely  uses  his  substance,  of  every 
woman  who  seeks,  among  other  means  of  grace,  a 


HEALTH  A BIRTHRIGHT. 


5 


wise  knowledge  of  tlie  laws  wliicli  interrelate  her 
body  to  its  tasks  and  time.  The  most  heavenly 
babe  is  wreathed  in  smiles ; the  bravest  boy  is  not 
the  sickliest ; the  most  Christian  woman  thinks  of 
herself  least.  The  best  man  is  free  to  use  every 
power  of  body  and  mind  for  those  more  needy 
than  he.  Aches  and  ills  may  enter  into  Christian 
experience,  but  they  are  not  a necessary  part  of  it. 
He  who  would  do  his  best  must  be  his  best ; as  every 
member  of  his  body  must  be  fruitful  of  strength. 

The  actualities  submerge  the  possibilities  of 
human  experience ; the  latter  find  lodgment  in  only 
fevered  visions. 

The  dreams  of  man  define  his  heritage,  and  alone 
bound  his  possessions.  He  who  lives  not  on  the 
hillsides,  or  rides  not  mountains  with  the  storm,  and 
sees  not  the  contending  elements,  nor  numbers 
the  stars,  has  lived  but  half. 

He  is  a hard  man  whose  face  and  form  and 
thought  tell  us  he  is  fettered  by  pig  iron,  steel  rails, 
and  the  dry  details  of  practical  business.  The  rustle 
of  parchment  and  ring  of  dollars  make  discord  in 
the  heart.  You  must  eat  the  food  of  the  gods  if 
you  would  exalt  the  countenance.  Said  a beautiful 
girl,  “ Oh,  sir  ! I am  so  little  of  what  I wish  to  be  ! ” 
and  in  her  glowing  face  I read  a prophecy  of  what 
she  has  since  attained.  Take  your  ideal,  a robust 
form,  elastic  step,  profusion  of  lustrous  ban,  eyes 


6 dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

* 

like  diamonds,  tinted  cheeks,  ruby  lips  set  with 
pearls,  all  animated  by  a loving,  aspiring  soul ; com- 
pare this  embodied  dream  of  what  is  attainable  in 
health,  with  the  tame  faces,  weak  backs  and  wasted 
forms,  the  blighted  minds,  hardened  hearts,  suspi- 
cious glance,  tottering  step  ; the  aches  and  pains, 
and  invalidism, — Is  not  health  mostly  a dream,  and 
its  attainment  one  of  the  lost  arts  ? 

§ 4.  “Yankees?”  or  Americans? 

Towards  the  close  of  the  sixteeenth  century, 
there  appeared  a new  type  of  the  genus  homo. 
It  is  yet  a disputed  point  whether  he  should  be 
regarded  as  a distinct  creation,  or  owes  his  existence 
to  some  evolutionary  process  best  explained  by 
Darwin.  This  type  does  not  interest  itself  in  its 
origin.  Indeed,  in  one  respect,  it  resembles  Topsy, 
makes  no  distinct  claim  to  parentage,  and  is  rather 
flattered  by  the  idea  that  it  “ coin’d  up  ” itself. 
This  is  the  more  agreeable  because  all  else  human 
is  so  inferior  to  itself,  in  ideas  of  government,  poli- 
tics, and  religion.  It  adopted,  and  is  now  known, 
by  the  nom  de  plume  of  “Yankee;”  and  as  such 
we  shall  refer  to  some  points  involving  his  history 
and  capacity. 

He  came  from  some  unknown  shore  to  Plymouth 
Rock,  which  he  seized  and  claimed  by  right  of 
possession.  The  soil  was  worthless,  and  the  new 


YANKEES  ? OR  AMERICANS  l 


7 


proprietor  had  no  capital  except  “ brains,”  “ cheek,” 
and  a pliable  conscience.  His  knowledge  of  busi- 
ness was  clearly  shown  by  a system  of  advertis- 
ing which  arrested  the  attention  of  Europe.  The 
Yankee  had  no  means  of  his  own,  but  a course  of 
conduct  similar  to  that  which  secured  for  him  real 
estate,  enabled  him  to  obtain  a share  of  the  money 
brought  by  each  immigrant. 

He  invited  capitalists,  teachers,  and  preachers- 
and  by  a liberal  use  of  the  imagination,  a goose 
quill,  and  tannate  of  iron , the  Yankee  soon  found 
himself  at  the  head  of  a thriving  colony.  He 
proved  himself  a compound  of  trickery,  trade,  and 
energy,  with  an  all-engrossing  idea  of  absorbing 
every  dollar  and  every  soul  which  touched  his  shore. 
During  the  early  settlement  of  the  colony  he  became 
converted , and,  like  unto  the  olden  times  of  Israel , 
the  Yankee  became  “a  chosen  people  ; ” by  burning 
witches  and  hanging  turbulent  Quakers,  he  secured 
the  divine  favor,  entered  heaven,  and  brought  away 
the  supreme  law  for  the  government  of  all  people. 
All  men  are  born  free  and  equal ; hence  he  had 
a right  to  the  soil  equal  with  the  natives,  and  as  the 
latter  had  no  firearms  the  Yankee  became  sole 
proprietor. 

If  an  Englishman  came  to  this  new  settlement 

O 

with  money  enough  to  build  a school-house  and 
brains  enough  to  write  a book,  the  Yankee  wrote 


8 dr.  .everett’s  health  fragments. 

his  name  upon  both  book  and  build W and 
claimed  them.  If  a big-headed  German,  or  an  in- 
genious Frenchman  touched  the  shore  he  was 
swallowed  up.  Poor  Pat  would  hardly  have  time 
to  get,  his  brogues  on  before  a spade  would  be 
thrust  in  his  hand,  and  he  set  to  digging  canals 
and  building  railroads.  In  short,  this  long,  lean 

restless, 

g i 11  g , lying, 
trading,  absorb- 
ing creature  has 
swallowed  up 
the  Jewish  Bi- 
ble, the  Chris- 
tian Testament, 
the  laws  and 
literature  of 
older  nations, 
and  almost 
every  man,  wo- 
man, and  child, 
which  have 

found  a home  in  the  New  World. 

So  intensely  has  he  individualized  himself  that 
teachers  and  preachers,  the  schools  and  pulpits  of 
the  land,  seem  proud  of  the  sobriquet  Yankee. 
Every  success  is  labeled  “Yankee” — every  invention 
is  a Yankee  invention.  In  short,  though  he  is  only 


YANKEES  ? OK  AMERICANS  ? 


9 


every  twentieth  person,  yet  by  a piratical  egotism 
he  claims  the  attainments  and  possessions  of  the 
other  nineteen.  JCvery  germ  or  gill  of  blood  from 
England,  Scotland,  France,  Germany,  Switzerland, 
or  Italy,  which  has  been  imported  to  this  conti- 
nent within  two  centuries  must  be  dubbed  “ Yankee 
blood.”  The  pride  of  being  an  American  is  mostly 
lost  in  the  strutting  peacockism  of  a pure  Yankee. 

His  face  is  so  familiar  that  it  would  be  recog- 
nized at  a glance  in  any  capital  of  Europe ; but 
one  looks  lono-  before  he  can  see  in  him  the 

O 

thought,  benevo- 


American  people  have  no  mean  position.  Our  ora- 
tors, probably,  outnumber  those  of  all  Europe, 
whilst  the  average  American  physique  is  quite 
inferior  to  that  of  the  Old  World. 


In  mechanical 
enterprise  and  in- 
genuity, in  archi- 
tecture, common 
schools,  literature, 
and  commerce  the 


lence,  religion,  phi- 
losophy, or  culture 
which  mark  the 
leading  features  of 
foremost  Ameri- 
cans. 


THE  AMERICAN  OF  1976. 


10 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


We  are  only  a few  generations  from  a generous, 
well-nourished  ancestry,  with  yearly  contributions 
from  England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  France,  and  Ger- 
many, which  continually  pour  rich  blood  into  our 
depleted  veins;  but  the  exhaustive  habits  of  our 
people  are  such,  that  the  deterioration  of  one  hun- 
dred years  hence  is  not  of  uncertain  prediction, 
unless  health  is  better  protected  by  an  assiduous 
regard  for  hygienic  laws. 

The  good-natured,  old-fashioned  men  of  our 

childhood  are  fast 
passing  away — 
those  aldermanic 
men  of  a genera- 
tion past,  who  sat 
on  store-steps  and 
told  stories, — who 
laughed  and  made 
others  laugh ; men 
of  mirth  and  gene, 
rous  dinners,  who 
could  not  stand 
straight  and  see  their  toes, — men  who  were  happy 
and  contented  with  themselves,  and  the  human 
race  generally. 

We  do  see  a resemblance  to  them  occasionally,  but 
these  can  seldom  stand  the  test.  If  you  were  to  tap 
them,  you  would  find  a keg  of  lager  bier  instead 


TESTING  ALDERMANIC  QUALITIES. 


DYSPEPTIC  PULPIT. 


11 


of  the  natural  contents  of  a healthy  abdo- 
men. 


§ 5.  Dyspeptic  Pulpit. 

The  country  parson’s  pastoral  call  is  the  signal  for 
a rural  festival.  The  boys  are  sent  out  to  run  down 
the  old  hens;  and  the  matron  resorts  to  every  de- 
vice that  will  render  her  table  inviting.  Pickles, 
pepper,  “chow-chow,”  mince  pie — so  the  good  man 
asks  our  Father  to  bless  the  food.  Does  the  reader 
suppose  the  Lord  ever  blessed  a green  pickled 
cucumber,  or  the  pepper-box  \ If  so,  lie  lias  much 
to  learn  of  the  science  of  feeding. 

It  were  as  well  to  ask  a blessing  on  twenty  grains 
of  arsenic,  as  over  scrofulous  meat  and  a red  pepper- 
box ; neither  of  which  has  any  relation  to  this  most 
beautiful  of  religious  exercises. 

The  good  man  eats  heartily,  goes  home,  has  the 
headache ; and  then  prepares  sermons  that  make  the 
heart  ache.  Untold  time,  alone,  will  reveal  the 
number  of  bad  sermons  preached  by  good  men,  be- 
cause they  had  bad  pickles  in  their  stomachs. 

The  health  or  disease  of  a Christian  minister  tem- 
pers his  mind  and  tones  his  theology.  Students  of 
Divinity  should  be  thoroughly  educated  oh  all  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  their  health,  and  the  best  means 
of  preserving  it.  Piety  and  dyspepsia  have  too  long 
been  linked ; and  it  is  time  both  ministers  and  lay- 


CORDIAL  RECEPTION  OF  A COUNTRY  PARSON.  (See  p.  11.) 


WHY  FARMERS  ARE  GLUTTONS. 


13 


men  should  know  that  a robust  body,  good  diges- 
tion, and  healthy  physical  exercise,  are  conducive  to 
Christian  culture ; and  that  a cheerful  mind  and 
hearty  laugh,  are  as  good  a passport  to  heaven  as  a 
long  face.  Disease  clouds  the  mind,  sours  the  tem- 
per, and  robs  the  heart  of  hope.  A man  cannot 
continually  sin  against  his  own  body  and  serve  the 
Lord  with  all  his  talents. 

’ § 6.  Why  Farmers  are  Gluttons. 

The  farmer’s  virtue  is  mostly  negative.  The 
schoolboy  is  regaled  with  wise  sayings  from  Cicero 
and  Franklin  concerning  the  virtuous  tendencies  of 
a rural  life.  Yet  farmers  are  a simple  class  of  peo- 
ple. They  suffer  little,  sin  little,  think  little,  and 
seldom  go  to  court  but  as  witnesses  or  jurors. 

The  school  teacher  uses  a word  of  four  syllables, 
and  he  is  requested  not  to  use  such  “ big  words,” 
as  he  is  speaking  to  “ only  an  ignorant  farmer .” 
As  though  a farmer  had  any  moral  right  to  be 
ignorant,  more  than  a minister,  doctor,  or  lawyer ! 
It  is  easy  of  explanation.  He  thinks  he  must  eat 
much  to  be  strong.  So,  to  work  hard  for  six  days  he 
continually  gratifies  his  gluttonous  appetite.  On 
the  Sabbath  he  forgets  his  rule,  or  reverses  it. 
Because  he  does  nothing  he  can  eat  all  the  more. 
Take  a Pennsylvania  farmer’s  Sunday  breakfast, — 
ham,  eggs,  buckwheat  cakes,  saur  krout,  waffles, 


14 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


molasses,  etc.,  etc.  Clevevly  through,  the  boys  bring 
around  the  fat  horses,  and  Mr.  Farmer  goes  to 
church.  He  is  a “good”  man,  regular  in  attend- 
ance, prompt  in  payment  of  dues  ; and  exemplary  in 
silence , if  not  in  conversation. 

The  minister  is  through  with  preliminary  exercises, 
and  takes  his  text ; the  spare,  pale  man  has  toiled 
through  the  week  to  prepare  a sermon  that  may 
benefit  the  farmer;  but  before  lie  gets  half  through, 
he  looks  down  to  see  Mr.  Farmer  sound  asleep,  if  he 
has  not  already  been  interrupted  by  his  snoring. 
The  good  minister  is  trying  to  get  at  his  head  and 
heart ; but  the  vitality  of  the  farmer  has  gone  to  his 
stomach,  to  relieve  it  of  mince  pie  and  saur  Jcrout. 

If  farmers  were  to  put  into  books  and  study  that 
vitality,  now  wasted  in  disposing  of  food  which  they 
eat,  over  and  above  the  natural  demand  of  their 
bodies , they  might  rank  among  the  best  informed 
classes  of  the  land.  As  it  is,  this  large  and  pro- 
ductive class  of  our  people  are  stupid  and  illiterate, 
because  they  do  not  know  why  they  should,  or  are 
unwilling  to  control  their  appetites. 

§ 7.  Personal  Influence 

is  next  to  heaven.  All  power  ends  in  bending 
others  to  our  own  will  or  way  of  thinking.  Only 
kings  and  emperors  rule,  be  they  crowned  or  not. 
Individual  influence  is  founded  not  more  on  quality 


POPULAR  CREDULITY. 


15 


and  quantity  of  mind  than  body.  It  is  largely  a 
question  of  avoirdupois. 

If  you  would  be  a leader  of  the  people,  secure 
the  means  of  a 
large  physical 
growth.  We 
follow  leaders 
larger  than  our- 
selves. Most 
politicians  are 
portly  me  n. 

New  England 
has  more  brain 
than  body.  She 
has  written  the 
history,  poetry, 
and  music  of 
America ; and 

she  has  greater  influence  in  the  counsels  of  the 
nation  than  any  other  equal  number  of  states.  To 
secure  it  she  sends  large-bodied  men  to  Washington. 

Other  conditions  being  equal,  size  determines  _ 
power  in  politics  as  it  does  in  mechanics. 

§ 8.  Popular  Credulity. 

It  would  be  amusing  if  it  were  not  painful  to  wiW'O/  , 
ness  the  zeal  with  which  the  masses  seek  out  and 


* ^ A'  * . 

, UV 

I ^ r s y 

■ >«£§ **» 

W>  UBWi'-1 


POLITICIAN. 


1G 


DR.  EVERETTS  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


patronize  Patent  Medicines,  “ Indian  Doctors,”  Faith 
Doctors,  and  other  charlatans. 

One  generation  ago,  the  New  York  Sun  received 
$5,000  to  advertise  Brandreth’s  Pills.  By  many  the 
advertiser  was  regarded  as  a crazy  adventurer.  He 
soon  retired  with  a competency.  Since  then,  scores 
of  others  have  succeeded  as  did  he.  It  is  stated 
that  two-tifths  of  all  moneys  spent  for  advertising 
only  give  publicity  to  preparations  of  this  kind.  To 
say  they  do  ten-fold  more  harm  than  good,  is  a mild 
condemnation  of  the  commercial  and  moral  robbery, 
involved  in  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  patent 
medicines. 

Indian  doctors  give  little  medicine  among  their 
own  tribes,  — they  assume  to  cure  by  charms, 
dances,  and  mysterious  words.  Recently  a tribe  of 
Sioux  put  their  “ Medicine  Man  ” to  death,  because 
he  could  not  cure  small -pox,  which  was  raging 
among  the  “ papooses.”  Society  should  apply  a simi- 
Ifir  test  to  the  parasites  who  practice  upon  the 
people’s  credulity  in  the  Medicine  Man's  name. 

Faith  Doctors. — These  are  they  who  cure  by 
laying  on  hands.  There  is  a truth  in  their  pre- 
tensions,— the  well  may  help  the  weak.  A vigor- 
ous, strong  hand  placed  on  another’s  aching  head, 
often  dispels  the  pain,  almost  instantly. 

We  may  not  be  able  to  explain  why , or  how , 


POPULAR  CREDULITY. 


n 


but  God  lias  linked  tlie  human  race  in  tlieir  suffer 
ings  as  well  as  in  their  joys;  and  it  is  pleasant  to 
think  that  a well-toned  person  may  give  joy,  peace, 
and  rest  to  a suffering  one  by  mere  touch,  often- 
times. Yet,  even  this  gift  is  prostituted  by  charla- 
tans, and  seemingly  intelligent  people  are  often 
carried  captive  by  their  pretentions.  The  following 
anecdote  was  told  the  writer  as  true  in  substance, 
some  years  ago  : 

A “ Faith  Doctor  ” had  advertised  to  be  at  a cer- 
tain place  in  Hooppole  township,  Posey  County,  In- 
diana, but  was  detained  to  complete  a previous  aj> 
pointment. 

On  the  day  mentioned  for  his  arrival  a young 
gentleman  from  the  rural  district  inquired  for  “ that 
air  big  doctor .”  A young  horse  - jockey,  seeing  an 
opportunity  for  a practical  joke,  announced  himself 
as  the  “ doctor.”  Inviting  the  verdant  into  the  par- 
lor, he  accosted  him  with, 

“ Now,  sir,  what  is  the  matter?  ” 

Verdant.  “ Wal,  Doctor,  I’m  deef  !” 

Jockey.  “ Which  ear  ? ” 

Verdant.  “ Left  ear.” 

Jockey.  “Then  turn  around,  sir.”  The  new 
doctor  boxed  his  ear  soundly  three  times.  . After  he 
had  recovered  his  center  of  gravity,  the  “ doctor  ” 
asked,  “ Now,  sir,  how  do  you  feel  ? ” 

Verdant.  “ I think  I hear  better.” 

2 


18 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


Jockey.  “ Call  day  after  to-morrow^  for  another 
treatment.” 

On  the  day  appointed  tlie  poor  fellow  returned 
and  brought  two  others  to  receive  treatment. 

Caterpillar  Cure. — A little  girl,  when  trund- 
ling a baby  with  several  rolls  of  flannel  about  its 
neck,  one  hot  summer’s  mid-day,  was  accosted  by  a 
gentleman  with, 

“ Sissy,  what  are  you  smothering  that  child  with 
flannel  for,  on  such  a day  as  this  ? ” 

Little  Girl.  “ Mother  did  that.  An  old  lady  told 
ma  if  she  put  a caterpillar  in  the  middle  roll  it 
would  cure  baby’s  whooping  cough.  The  whoops 
will  leave  the  baby  and  go  into  the  caterpillar.” 


§ 9.  Panorama  of  Death. 

In  New  York  City  the  funerals  average  four  hun- 
dred and  sixty  per  week.  One  half  of  these  are  of 
children  who  should  live.  Three-fourths  of  the 
deaths  in  this  country  are  the  result  of  diseases  pre- 
ventable or  curable,  under  proper  conditions  of  liv- 
ing. These  are  consumption,  liver  disease,  fevers,  etc. 

Of  the  incapables  in  the  United  States  there  are 
Insane ........  37,000 

Idiotic  .......  24,000 

Blind 20,000 

Deaf  and  dumb  .....  16,000 


A SURE  REMEDY. 


19 


Americans  pay  to  dentists  each  year  $5,000,000. 
This,  notwithstanding  dentists  are  like  doctors  and 
jails,  necessary  evils.  Live  right  and  you  will  not 
need  them.  The  average  time  lost  by  women  from 
disease  is  sufficient  to  give  each  a university  edu- 
cation. 

It  were  idle  to  attempt  a computation  of  loss 
through  doctors’  bills,  servants’  hire,  and  time  wasted 
by  illness  ; but  far  and  above  all  these  must  be  esti- 
mated character  undeveloped,  and  opportunities 
lost,  which  should  fit  us  for  something  better. 

§ 10.  A Sure  Remedy. 

A knowledge  of  the  body  and  its  functions  is  the 
only  safeguard  for  public  health.  It  is  not  sufficient 
for  physicians  to  know  what  the  people  need,  or 
what  they  should  do.  The  masses  must  know  it  for 
themselves.  Health  is  the  natural  condition,  and  if 
doctors  were  paid  the  half  for  teaching  the  people 
they  now  receive  for  drugging  them,  society  would 
be  improved. 

With  our  present  advanced  knowledge  of  physi- 
ology and  hygiene,  effectually  taught  in  all  our 
schools,  and  practically  carried  out  in  the  house- 
holds, the  crime,  disease,  and  dissipation  which  now 
bend  the  back  of  society,  would  be  greatly  lessened; 
and  all  true  reforms  receive  an  impetus  which  we 
may  now  dream  of,  if  we  cannot  enjoy. 


§ 11.  Wonders  Within  Us. 

More  wonderful  tlian  mountains  and  rivers,  and 
dewy  meads  and  glistening  buttercups,  is  this 
“ house  we  live  in ,”  so  rare  in  its  economy  of 


LIFE  AND  DEATH  ABE  TWINS. 


21 


space,  and  perfectness  of  structure.  So  complex  is 
it,  with  its  deep  and  swift-flowing  streams,  filled 
with  life,  bearing  its  uncounted  fleet  of  microscopic 
vessels,  each  vessel  laden  with  life  and  joy,  or  song 
and  sorrow,  for  some  particular  part ; its  wonderful 
system  of  telegraphy,  which  unites  the  smallest  tissue 
to  the  great  whole.  Its  courts  of  reason  and  art,  its 
cathedral,  its  solemn  chants,  its  war,  work,  patience, 
petulance,  pity,  and  a thousand  other  children  of  the 
soul.  The  soul  itself.  All  these,  and  this.  Not 
standing,  but  restless  as  the  sea,  changing,  changing 
forever.  It  of  to-day  is  not  to-morrow. 


§ 12.  Life  and  Death  are  Twins. 

The  cradle  and  the  grave  are  side  by  side — we 
must  live  to  die,  and  die  to  live.  Every  heart- 
beat two  millions  of  blood-cells  are  born — every 
heart-beat  two  millions  die ; every  minute  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  millions  are  created,  and  as  many 
carried  to  the  grave.  I cannot  move  an  arm  or 
take  a step  without  inviting  death ; I cannot  see 
a star  or  watch  a humming-bird  without  waste 
of  optic  nerve ; and  every  flight  of  fancy,  or  spoken 
word,  or  strain  of  music,  has  death  for  a companion. 
“ I die  daily,”  yea  and  more  ; he  is  not  who  was 
an  hour  ago,  whether  he  will  or  not,  the  word  is 
onward, — onward  to  the  great  forever — silently, 
noiselessly,  to  the  great,  unknown  forever. 


22 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


§ 13.  Waste  and  Repair. 

Mr.  Huxley’s  application  of  tlie  correlation  of 
forces,  to  preserve  the  equilribium  which  we  call 
health,  is  the  simplest  basis  for  a practical  under- 
standing of  hygiene;  for  the  upbuilding  must  be  as 
constant  as  the  waste.  In  childhood  the  waste  is 
less  than  the  building  process;  during  the  middle 
age  they  equal  each  other ; and  during  the  decline, 
or  old  age,  the  repair  is  less  than  the  waste;  and 
gradually,  the  life  forces  give  iq:>  the  contest, 
and  death  claims  its  own. 

The  constructive  process  is  carried  on  by  means 
of  organs  called  digestive , by  which  food  is  dis- 
solved, thence  blood  is  formed,  from  which  the 
several  tissues  are  regenerated.  These  digestive 
organs  are  of  infinite  variety,  adapted  to  the  species 
or  condition  of  the  animal;  the  cow  has  four 
stomachs,  the  rabbit  three.  Fowls  have  a crop 
and  a gizzard,  where  the  gravel  grinds  the  grain 
preparatory  to  further  digestion. 

§ 14.  The  Varied  Voice  of  Hunger. 

Hunger  is  the  body’s  prayer  for  food.  The 
general  desire  for  life  is  the  multiplication  of  the 
prayers  from  each  atom  of  the  body.  Hunger  is 
the  bugle-call  u to  arms,”  the  dining-room  a battle- 
ground. The  Genius  of  Death  slowly  picks  the 


THE  YAEIED  VOICE  OF  HUNGER. 


23 


body  to  pieces;  the  skin,  kidneys,  lungs,  etc.,  are 
perpetual  grave-diggers. 

Slowly  we  crumble,  and  ere  long  would  give  up 
to  inanition,  did  not  hunger  warn  us  to  replenish  the 
table.  Spring,  Summer,  Autumn,  and  the  ingenuity 
of  man,  combine  to  furnish  material  for  repair.  The 
process  of  destructive  assimilation  is  obvious  from 
the  pounds  discharged  from  the  body  during  twen- 
ty-four hours. 

This  waste  is  replenished  from  the  blood ; each 
of  the  tissues  has  power  of  selecting  from  the  blood 
what  is  necessary  for  its  repair.  Good  blood  is  the 
product  of  digestion,  and  must  have  all  the  ele- 
ments of  the  several  tissues  in  due  proportions. 
Hunger  is  the  sense  of  regeneration,  and  resides  in 
the  tissues,  though  we  receive  the  dispatch  gener- 
ally in  the  stomach  and  mouth.  This  demand  for 
food  is  regular  in  healthy  persons,  the  frequency 
of  its  occurrence  depending  largely  upon  the  habits 
and  occupation  of  the  person.  A man  in  out- 
door, active  exercise,  should  feel  this  desire  for  food 
thrice  daily ; if  he  indulges  his  appetite  oftener,  the 
desire  will  conform  to  regular  habits  of  eating. 
Those  engaged  in  sedentary  employment  should  have 
less  frequent  demands  for  food.  The  repeated  de- 
sire for  food  by  children  is  largely  the  result  of  too 
frequent  feeding  by  the  nurse  or  mother.  The 
hours  for  feeding  children  should  be  so  separated 


24 


DR.  EVERETT  S HEALTH  FRAGMENTS, 


HIS  SUNDAY  MORNING  DISCOURSE  TO  A CONGREGATION 

too  heartily.  (See  p.  14.) 


FOOD  DETERMINES  BEAUTY. 


25 


that  their  stomachs  can  have  periods  of  rest.  After 
the  first  year,  children  will  do  well  on  three  meals 
a day;  and  it  is  unwise,  or  worse,  to  feed  them 
oftener.  Opium,  alcohol,  and  tobacco  diminish  the 
appetite,  and  their  much  use  allays  the  desire  for 
food  altogether. 


15.  Food  Determines  Beauty. 


Royal  souls  are  frequently  born  in  the  kitchen 
and  bred  in  the  dining-room.  It  is  an  established 
fact,  that  a common  *egg  may  become  a Queen, 
or  common  bee,  as  it  is  fed  on  common  or  “ royal 
jelly.”  That  when  bees  lose  their  queen,  they 
take  a common  egg,  enclose  it  in  a royal  cell , 
feed  it  with  “ royal  jelly?  and  the  perfect  queen  bee 
will  appear  in  due  time.  “ Thus  having  not  only 
their  bodily  organization , but  their  psychical  nature 
essentially  altered  by  the  nurture  they  have  re- 
ceived.'1'1 (Carpenter’s  Mental  Physiology,  p.  60.) 

This  is  as  true  of  human  as  other  queens.  Coarse, 
gross,  and  gluttonous  habits  of  life  degrade  the 
physical  appearance.  You  will  rarely  be  disap- 
pointed in  supposing  that  a lucid,  clean,  clear-skinned, 
bright-eyed,  self-respectful  lady,  is  very  careful  of 
the  food  which  forms  her  body  and  tints  her 
cheek ; nor  are  you  unwise  in  supposing  that 
great,  coarse,  unclean,  dull-eyed,  greasy-faced  man, 


26 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


is  regardless  of  table  habits  and  table  furniture, 
if  he  can  only  get  a sufficiency  of  rich,  coarse 
food,  to  till  his  capacious  stomach.  Two  tomato 
worms  are  differently  fed.  One  on  the  coarse 
leaves  of  coarse  plants,  the  other  on  the  petals 
of  fragrant,  tinted  flowers.  The  latter  will  be  a 
beautiful  thing,  tinted  like  unto  a rainbow;  the 
former  will  be  plain,  and  unlovely.  Just  as  true 
is  it  of  boys  and  girls,  and  men  and  women.  The 
quality  and  quantity  of  the  materials  which  form 
their  bodies,  must  determine  their  appearance. 

We  see  it  in  the  bloated'  form  of  the  inebriate, 
as  compared  with  his  opposite,  but  it  is  as  true 
of  what  we  eat  as  what  we  drink. 

Goethe  lived  carefully  and  abstemiously,  and  car- 
ried his  personal  beauty  to  old  age ; while  Mad- 
am von  Stein  lost  Goethe’s  love  by  gross  habits 
of  eating  sausages,  and  drinking  strong  coffee, 

O O'  O O t 

which  destroyed  her  beauty.  Many  a beauty  has 
been  slain  by  greasy  pastry,  griddle-cakes,  and 
other  indigestible  substances.  Let  it  be  written  on 
the  understanding,  beauty  is  icon  by  a wise  diet , 
and  lost  by  gluttony. 

§ 16.  Deportment  at  Table. 

“ An  animal  is  judged  of  at  feast.”  A man  be- 
trays his  breeding  at  table.  Unconsciously  he  tells 
you  he  is  a gentleman  or  a boor.  If  you  want  your 


DEPORTMENT  AT  TABLE. 


27 


philanthropy  tested,  come  with  me.  Here  is  a W est- 
ern  bound  train,  stopping  “ twenty  minutes  for  din- 
ner.” Into  the  dining-room  rush  two  hundred  of 
that  unwashed,  unsanctified  heap  of  material  called 
human.  Did  you  ever  watch  a lot  of  pigs  contend- 
ing for  swill  ? Scrambling,  shoving,  crowding  and 
gulping.  Do  those  people  remind  you  of  the  pigs  % 
Never  have  I loved  my  people  less  than  at  a hasty, 
hotel  table.  Indeed,  I could  only  tolerate  them 
when  I compared  them  with  the  people  from  other 
lands,  at  same  table  with  them.  Then  I was  forced 
to  see  that  others  were  only  less  decent  than  our- 
selves. 

The  higher  we  ascend,  above  the  strictly  animal 
line  of  conduct,  into  the  aesthetic,  the  more  agreeable 
we  are  to  our  fellow,  especially  if  he  sits  opposite 
us  at  table.  Dr.  Abernethy  was  strictly  philosophi- 
cal in  his  advice  to  an  American  official  who  con- 
sulted him  concerning  dyspepsia. 

Dr.  A.  “ So,  sir,  you  had  dyspepsia  in  America.” 

Official.  “ Yes,  sir.” 

Dr.  A.  “ And  you  have  come  to  London  to  re- 
main some  months  ? ” 

Official.  “ Yes,  sir.” 

Dr.  A.  “You  will  need  no  treatment,  for  while 
you  remain,  you  will  probably  be  compelled  to  eat 
among  polite  people.” 

Dr.  Abernethy  conveyed  the  idea  that  a truly 


28 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


polite  man  could  not  have  dyspepsia.  He  was  not 
very  incorrect. 

I once  knew  a Quaker  woman  who  said  those 
who  came  to  her  house  to  live,  gradually  improved 
in  appetite  and  health.  Her  table  was  exquisitely 
neat,  and  the  food  so  prepared  that  its  sight  was  an 
appetizer.  The  latter  was  served  in  small  quanti- 
ties ; and  one  felt  that  to  eat  largely  would  be  an 
outrage.  Conversation  was  cheerful,  facetious,  but 
seldom  personal.  Over  and  above  all  was  the  quiet, 
assuring  manner  of  the  Quaker  woman,  more  tran- 
quillizing than  aught  else.  The  gentleman  is  not 
only  careful  not  to  offend,  but  he  is  bound  to  enter- 
tain those  about  him.  In  short,  eating  should  be 
done  as  gracefully,  as  moderately.  The  best  appe- 
tizers are  not  the  contents  of  the  castor,  more  than  a 
well-ordered  mind,  which  is  quick  to  perceive  and 
supply  the  needs  of  its  neighbor. 

§ 17.  Gluttony 

is  the  parent  of  gout,  dyspepsia,  kidney  disease, 
apoplexy,  corpulency,  rheumatism  and  neuralgia ; 
also  of  a score  of  other  unchristened  children. 

I have  never  met  true  refinement  in  the  person 
of  a gross  eater.  Great  geniuses  are  sometimes 
great  gluttons.  The  best  type  of  gentlemen  never 
are.  Goethe  and  Thorwaldsen  were  very  consid- 
erate of  their  food ; and  when  we  see  these  giants 


GLUTTONY. 


29 


making  a breakfast  off  a glass  of  milk  and  a roll, 
we  have  learned  from  more  tkan  tkeir  pens  and 
models. 

This  liabit  tarnishes  the  soul,  and  publishes  its 
work  on  the  face. 

Eye.  — It  generally  robs  the  eye  of  intensity 
of  expression,  and  color,  also  of  brilliancy, — when 
it  leaves  the  eye  still  sparkling,  it  surrounds  it 
with  mottled,  sodden,  puffy  or  high-colored,  half- 
animated  flesh,  leaving  it  like  a jewel  set  in  putty. 

Gluttony  and  the  Mouth.  — Wreathe  your 
mouth  in  smiles  by  spare  eating.  Gluttony  thick- 
ens the  lips,  and  imparts  an  indescribable  coarse- 
ness to  them.  It  robs  them  of  redness,  ploughs 
fissures,  and  makes  cracks  in  them.  The  glut- 
ton’s mouth  may  remind  us  of  cod-fish, — never  of 
kisses. 

Effects  of  Gluttony  on  the  Nose. — Particu- 
larly upon  the  nose  does  nature  take  her  revenge. 
I never  saw  an  unexceptionable  nose  upon  a man 
who  habitually  ate  or  drank  to  excess. 

The  nose  is  a promontory  from  which  the  topo- 
graphy of  life  and  character  can  be  studied. 

Pimples,  blotches,  minute  blood-vessels  enlarged 
and  straggling  over  the  surface,  a purplish  tint, 
thick  skin,  and  a certain  unspiritual  or  super-ani- 
mal expression  are  some  of  the  means  nature  uses 
to  expose  the  habits  of  a glutton. 


30 


DR,  EVERETTS  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


On  the  other  hand,  we  rarely  meet  a “ clean  ” 
looking  man  who  has  lived  forty  years,  free  from 
disease,  unless  he  is  a small  eater. 

§ 18.  Shall  we  follow  Nature? 

Certainly,  if  you  can  find  her ; but  be  careful  you 
do  not  get  after  some  old  hag  instead.  The  glutton 
finds  her  in  a yard  of  sausage ; the  drunkard  sees 
her  in  a glass  of  grog;  the  dyspeptic  in  every  abomi- 
nation which  gratifies  his  insane  appetite.  A cele- 
brated surgeon  of  Philadelphia,  once  said  to  a medi- 
cal class  of  three  hundred,  “ Young  gentlemen,  with 
all  your  theories  concerning  diet,  you  have  much  to 
learn.  You  have  lieai'd  much  relating  to  animal  and 
vegetable  diet,  etc.,  etc. ; but  my  advice  to  you  is,  if 
a little  child  crave  a little  salt,  give  it.  If  she  crave 
much  salt,  or  pepper,  or  vinegar,  or  pickles,  give 
them.  1 Nature  ’ is  much  wiser  than  you  are,  or 
we.” 

He  supposed  a case  of  dyspejisia;  it  may  have 
been  inherited  from  a mother,  certain  it  is  that  the 
'■Nature'1  he  referred  to  was  the  miserable  old  bel- 
dame which  unphilosopliical  doctors,  and  drunkards, 
and  dyspeptics  follow  all  their  lives. 

You  may  know  Nature  by  the  company  she  keeps. 
Her  friends  are  sweet  breath , sound  sleep,  clear  com- 
plexion, bright  eyes,  strong  back,  a cheerful  dispo- 
sition, "a  clear  head,  and  a merry  laugh.  If  you  have 


HOW  FAR  INSTINCT  SHOULD  GUIDE  EATING.  31 


followed  lier  to  irregular  meals,  wine  and  wakeful- 
ness, to  aclies,  pains,  and  loss  of  sleep ; if  you  find 
her  companions  have  a tobacco  breath,  bad  teeth, 
red  .noses,  pale  or  pinched  features,  sour  temper, 
domestic  strife,  irreverence,  no  matter  how  much 
they  may  talk  about  ‘ Nature ,’  you  are  following  a 
false  goddess. 

Our  appetites  are  often  determined  before  birth  ; 
and  bad  habits  beget  over-mastering  impulses,  which 
many  mistake  for  natural  demands ; but  it  is  no 
safer  to  follow  them  than  the  behests  of  a lunatic. 

§ 19.  How  far  Instinct  should  guide  Bating. 

The  bird  and  bee  trust  safely  to  their  instincts. 
The  little  duck  leaves  its  shell  with  a sublime  faith 
and  plunges  into  the  water.  With  not  less  safety 
or  certainty  may  a boy  of  twelve  trust  to  his  in- 
stinct, if  he  were  properly  born  and  bred.  Most 
persons  can  trust  their  appetites  implicitly  after 
weeks  of  rest,  and  a perfect  absence  of  con- 
diments, stimulants,  and  narcotics.  The  highest, 
broadest,  and  noblest  parts  of  man  are  his  instincts. 
A perfectly  healthy  man  may  be  a law  unto  him- 
self ; this  does  not  apply  to  one  in  a million,  how- 
ever. Ituskin  says,  “ the  greatness  or  smallness  of 
a man  is  determined  at  his  birth ; ” but,  before  its 
birth,  the  child  has  appetital  tendencies  which 
fetter  him  through  life.  For  invalids,  and  especially 


32 


DU.  EVERETTS  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


dyspeptics  to  make  tlieir  appetites  supreme,  is  no 
more  sensible  than  enthroning  a maniac.  “Nature  ” 
is  a much  abused  term ; she  is  always  gentle,  ab- 
stemious, wise,  safe,  temperate.  When  we  look 
for  her  in  our  own  selves,  especially  after  we  have 
lived  a gluttonous  or  vicious  life  for  years,  she  is 
generally  “ not  at  home.”  The  reader  is  safest  after 


“the  gentleman  who  believes  in  following  ‘nature’  while  at  table,  if 

NOWHERE  ELSE.” 

a careful  study  of  hygiene.  Then  she  may  set 
her  house  in  order  and  take  her  seat  at  table. 
Better  know  when  and  what  to  eat  than  guess  at  it. 

Those  wdio  prate  most  about  what  “ nature  ” de- 
mands have  by  their  vicious  indulgences  removed 
themselves  from  her  influence.  As  gluttons  and 
gourmands,  they  give  to  their  perverted  appetites 
the  appellation  of  “ nature.” 


SHALL  APPETITE  BE  TEMPTED. 


33 


§ 20.  Shall  Appetite  be  Tempted? 

Animals  in  tlieir  natural  condition  have  regular 
hours  for  eating,  exercise  and  rest.  The  wild 
pigeon  dines  'as  regularly  as  the  sun  moves.  x\ 
healthy  appetite  craves  food  at  appointed  hours. 
The  English  laborer  wants  and  eats  five  meals  a 
day — the  American  three.  Feed  your  child  three 
times  a day  only, 
and  that  often  only 
will  it  call  for  food. 

Feed  it  ten  times  a 
day  and  the  demand 
for  food  will  corre- 
spond with  the  hour 
of  feedimr.  Feed 

o 

it  irregularly  and 
often  and  it  will 
soon  become  a real 
Amer  i can  baby, 
crying  for  food  as 
often  as  its  mouth 
is  empty,  nervous, 
peevish,  dyspeptic. 

“Lead  us  not  into 
temptation,”  should 
be  repeated  at  every  street  corner,  and  as  often  as 
one  meets  a pea-nut  stand.  John  Bull  fills  his 
pockets  with  sandwiches  before  he  takes  the  cars, 

3 


34 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


Jonathan,  his,  with  newspapers ; but  on  every  car  are 
candies,  nuts,  fruit ; and  at  every  station  apple  pies, 
and  popcorn,  are  temptingly  thrust  in  our  ears  and 
eyes.  Candy-stands,  and  the  “ cheese-and-cracker  ” 
department  of  grocery  stores  ought  to  be  suppressed. 
Every  grandmother  shows  her  affection  by  loading 
the  plate,  and  urging  us  to  eat.  Every  one’s  “ Golden 
Rule,”  Eat  only  at  regular  hours , and  never  then , unless 
you  are  hungry , nor  oftener  than  three  times  a day. 

§ 21.  How  to  Secure  an  Appetite. 

Wait.  Time,  “which  befriends  all  the  sad  and 
disappointed,”  will  not  forget  you.  Abstain  utterly 
from  food ; you  will  get  hungry  by-and-by.  It  is  a 
real  luxury  to  be  hungry  j try  it.  See  how  clear 
your  head  will  be ; how  much  better  you  will  think. 
The  best  thoughts  are  not  born  upon  a full  stomach. 
How  many  wretched  people  there  are  who  regard  it 
as  a misfortune  to  lose  a meal.  Never  sympathize 
with  them.  They  are  always  unthrifty  or  diseased. 
Next  to  time,  outdoor  exercise  ; especially  if  your  em- 
ployment is  within  doors,  and  your  occupation 
sedentary,  mountain  air,  morning  walks,  active  exer- 
cise and  time  are  the  best  appetizers. 


CHAPTER  HI. 


Some  Things  that  Concern  Women. 

§ 22.  Of  Queens  at  Home. 

XTH  an  acute  sense  of 
tlie  wrongs,  deprivations, 
and  disabilities  of  women, 
and  a desire  for  lier 
presence  and  influence  in 
every  department  of  life, 
where  she  can,  with 
profit,  work  for  her  own 
interest  and  her  brothers’, 
the  writer  still  claims 
there  are  some 
she  has  no  right  to  do. 
She  has  no  right  to  be  ignorant  or  indifferent 
to  the  practical  duties  of  a well-ordered  household ; 
no  right  to  spend  her  time  in  the  routine  of 
a frivolous,  idle  or  fashionable  life.  She  has  no 
right  to  be  ashamed  of  the  kitchen,  and  install 
an  underbred,  ignorant  person,  over  matters  so  im- 
portant to  herself,  and  every  member  of  her  family, 
as  is  the  selection  and  preparation  of  daily  food. 


36 


DE.  EVERETTS  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


THE  TO-DAY’S  QUEEN  OF  THE  KITCHEN. 


She  lias  no  right  to  be  ignorant  or  indifferent 

of  the  necessity  or  the  art 
of  dressing  her  child  or  her- 
self, in  a becoming  and 
healthful  manner.  She  has 
no  right  to  allow  her  girl  to 
enter  womanhood  without 
such  knowledge,  and  con- 
victions, as  shall  prove  the 
surest  safe-guard  against 
disease,  and  in  favor  of  a 
healthy,  happy  life.  She 
has  no  right  to  waste  her  life  in  wrangling,  while 
three-fourths  of  all  children  are  born  of  ignorance, 
vice  and  crime,  which  blossom  in  their  after  lives, 
and  are  entailed  to  their  offspring  in  turn.  She 
has  no  right  to  shirk  a healthy  maternity.  Oh, 
America ! Thou  need’st  honest  politicians  to  guide 
thee,  strong  arms  to  defend  thee,  and  virtuous 
voters  to  sustain  thee ; but  more  than  all  these 
dost  thou  need  a wise,  conscientious  motherhood! 
Without  it,  the  first  three  are  soon  wasted ; with 
it,  thy  children  will  supply  them  all ; and  thy 
vestal  fires  will  burn  forever. 


§ 23.  Dignity  of  Domestic  Life. 

Americans  are  ashamed  of  work,  especially  do- 
mestic labor.  We  swindle  ourselves  with  plati- 


DIGNITY  OF  DOMESTIC  LIFE. 


37 


tildes  which  we  assume  to,  but  do  not,  believe. 
“ One  person  is  as  good  as  another  if  he  conducts 
himself  with  propriety,”  “ Labor  is  honorable,” 
and  Fourth  of  July  orations  go  well  together.  A 
lady  teacher,  of  large  experience,  regards  it  unbe 
coming  her  position  to  know  anything  about  dinner 
before  the  hour  for  eating  arrives.  She  has  charge 
of  a large  school  of  young  ladies,  is  regular  in 
religious  and  other  exercises — -talks  wisely  to  the 
girls  about  appearances,  music,  needle-work,  art 
of  drawing,  etc.  She  graduates  a large  class  every 
year — a lot  of  pale-faced,  small-waisted,  falsely- 
dressed  creatures — “ finished  ” in  brain,  body,  art 
of  dressing,  and  conversation.  Years  for  music 
and  French,  not  one  day  for  what  would  fit  the 
girl  for  domestic  labor.  Her  bad  complexion  is 
explained  when  you  look  at  the  doughnuts,  griddle- 
cakes,  and  biscuits,  sausages,  and  white  bread  she 
eats. 

The  teacher  is  ashamed  of  domestic  work , and 
she  graduates  her  pupils  with  a similar  sense  of 
false  propriety.  There  are  few  fashionable  women 
who  respect  work  or  clothe  the  affairs  of  domestic 
life  fvith  dignity.  What  pertains  to  the  kitchen 
is  regarded  as  drudgery;  the  cook  requires  as  much 
brains  as  the  Governor  of  the  State,  while  society 
thinks  the  commonest  vagrant  girl  in  the  country  is 
good  enough  to  cook  our  food.  Yet  the  character 


38 


I»  It.  EVERETT  S HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


of  the  child  is  largely  determined  by  Bridget’s 
cookery;  and  meanwhile  the  indolent  hands  of  the 
■‘lady”  are  be  jeweled  and  on  exhibition.  Poor 
cooks  are  continually  undoing  the  best  work  of  the 
pulpit  and  school-room. 

A neatly  set  table  inspires  us  with  a sense  of 
dignity  and  courtesy  which  we  cannot  feel  when 
dining  from  rough  boards.  Simple,  healthy  food, 
exquisitely  prepared,  and  served  upon  shining 
dishes,  and  brilliant  silverware,  with  snowy  nap- 
kins, and  glistening  goblets,  a gentle  blessing,  and 
cheerful  conversation,  embrace  the  sweetest  com- 
munions and  the  happiest  moments  of  life.  The 
health  question  must  be  regarded  as  a moral  one, 
because  its  laws  and  the  Ten  commandments  have 
a common  Author. 

Clothe  the  table  with  such  thoughts,  then  wis- 
dom, wit,  and  Christian  courtesy  will  vie  to  make 
the  meal  hours  the  best  of  the  twenty-four. 

She  is  a true  queen  who  knows  how  to  preside 
over  an  artistic  table. 

He  is  a true  king  who  plays  the  host  to  perfec- 
tion. 

§ 24.  Our  Coming  Mothers.  x 

The  American  girl  is  eminently  a prodigy.  She 
hurries  from  pantalets  to  maternity,  where  her 
possession  consists  chiefly  of  cradles,  babies,  and 
baby  graves,  until  thirty ; then,  with  broken  health, 


OUE  COMING-  MOTHEBS. 


39 


the  mother  enters  tlie  “ invalid  corps”  and  only 
in  exceptional  cases  is  she  heard  from  afterwards. 
The  physical  condition  of  our  women  is  such,  that 
only  a fair  proportion  is  lit  for  maternity  at  their 
best ; while  our  graveyards  enter  a silent  protest 
against  the  mad  stampede  to  motherhood,  before 
the  girl  has  education  in,  or  common  familiarity 
with,  the  duties  or  necessities  of  so  imperial  a posi- 
tion. She  oftentimes  marries  before  her  own  bones 
have  attained  their  growth  or  wonted  hardness. 
As  a result,  two-fifths  of  the  graves  of  our  land 
cast  shadows  no  longer 
than  walking-sticks. 

Recent  reports  of 
Cincinnati  tell  us,  of 
children  b orn  in  a 
given  year,  one-half 
did  not  live  to  attain 
the  aere  of  twelve 

O 

months. 

It  would  be  quite 
safe  to  offer  premiums 
on  all  healthy  girls  of 
sixteen  years,  as  long 
as  so  few  are  fitted 
to  answer  the  requirements.  She  who  wins 
the  medal  should  have  clear  skin,  rosy  cheeks, 
bright  eyes,  sound  teeth,  red  lips,  an  abundance 


MARRIED  AT  16 — DIED  AT  26.  LEAVING  SIX 
FEEBLE  CHILDREN. 


40  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


FAITH  DOCTOR’S  ” SURE  CURE  FOR  DEAFNESS.  (See  p.  17.) 


OUR  COMING  MOTHERS. 


41 


of  lustrous  hair  of  her  oivn  growth , full  form,  strong 
limbs  and  back,  no  aches,  pains,  corns  or  corsets,  and 
in  short,  a healthy,  bright,  sunny-tempered  girl  of 
sixteen,  weighing  one  hundred  and  fifteen  pounds. 
What  proportion  does  the 
reader  think  will  apply  for 
the  medal,  after  reading  these 
conditions  ? 

Thackeray  said,  American 
women  were  “ handsome,  dis- 
contented creatures.” 

The  Abbe  Bobbin  said 
of  American  ladies : “ They  are  tall  and  well  propor- 
tioned ; their  features  are  generally  regular,  their 
complexions  fair,  and  without  color.  * 

At  twenty  years  of  age,  the  women  have  no  longer 
the  freshness  of  youth.  At  thirty-five  or  forty, 
they  are  wrinkled  and  decrepit.  The  men  are 
almost  as  premature.” 

Beau  jour,  French  consul-general  to  this  country 
for  ten  years,  said  our  girls  were  very  beautiful, 
“ But  this  beauty  fades  and  passes  in  a moment. 
At  the  age  of  25,  their  forms  change,  and  at  30 
the  whole  of  their  charms  have  disappeared.” 

For  does  Michelet  except  Americans  when  he 
says,  “Woman* is  an  exquisite  invalid,  with  a per- 
ennial headache,  and  nerves  perpetually  on  the 
rack.” 


42 


DR.  EVERETTS  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


§ 25.  The  Neglected  Girl. 

The  bane  of  American  motherhood  is  mostly 
chargeable  to  the  miseducation  of  our  girls.  Of  the* 
school-days,  few  are  devoted  to  physical  or  physi- 
ological culture.  Before  the  pupil  has  mastered  the 
first  principles  of  a practical  course  of  study,  the 
sesthetical  is  made  paramount.  Music,  needle-work, 
and  the  studies  commonly  pursued,  involve  little  of 
value,  so  far  as  they  relate  to  her  health,  or  its  loss. 
She  is  imperfectly  clothed,  nor  dieted,  nor  exercised. 
She  meets  disease  half  way , falls  an  easy  prey ; and, 
before  she  fairly  enters  girlhood,  shows  a tendency 
to  unnatural  conditions,  which  often  become  perma- 
nent. 

A lady  teacher  said  to  the  writer,  “ W e do  not 
graduate  our  pupils  until  they  have  spent  two 
weeks  in  the  kitchen  to  learn  the  art  of  cooking.” 
On  this  she  based  a claim  to  patronage.  Two  weehs 
in  the  Tcitchen , and  two  years  to  misunderstand 
boarding-school  French  ! Two  weeks  in  the  kitchen, 
and  twice  two  years  to  music  and  needle- work ! 
While  to  be  a first-class  *cook  requires  time,  culture, 
and  natural  ability  equal  to  that  needed  to  govern  a 
battalion  of  soldiers. 

So  universal  is  the  frailty  of  American  girls  that 
professional  men  of  large  experience  fegard  their  sex 
and  their  debility  as  synonymous.  Not  doubting  the 
fallacy  of  such  a conclusion,  the  writer  still  sees  but 


a child’s  battle  foe  life. 


43 


one  way  to  disprove  it,  and  at  tlie  same  time  give 
tlie  girl  the  liealtli  she  rarely  enjoys;  that  is,  by  giv- 
ing her  a thorough  physical  culture,  from  the  third 
to  the  •sixteenth  year;  and  at  the  same  time  let  her 
be  educated  into  a conscientious  regard  for  habits 
and  laws  which  perpetuate  the  best  conditions  of 
both  body  and  mind. 

A silly  girl  rarely  makes  a sensible  woman ; and 
on  the  other  hand,  a healthy,  sensibly  educated  girl 
seldom  fails  to  become  an  important  member  of  her 
circle  in  after  years.  In  the  earnest  efforts  of  re 
formers  to  enlarge  the  sphere  of  woman’s  labor  and 
usefulness,  they  have  almost  forgotten  the  needs  of 
wifehood  and  home. 

§ 26.  A Child’s  Battle  for  Life. 

Children  learn  to  cry  long  before  they  can  laugh. 
Only  half  of  them  survive  childhood.  The  igno- 
rance and  ingenuity  of  cook,  nurse,  and  mothers  com- 
bine to  wage  war  against  the  babies’  existence. 
The  doctor  * joins  the  enemy  with  diluted  whisky, 
and  the  child  is  conquered.  The  battle  has  been 
renewed  not  only  every  day,  but  ten  times  a day, 
with  nipple  and  spoon  and  bottle  and  whisky — bad 
in  quality,  worse  in  quantity.  The  little  stomach  is 
a “ raw  recruit ; ” but  it  is  compelled  to  do  the  ser- 
vice of  a veteran. 


* The  Public  Health  Association  of  New  York  city  recommends  for  a 
young  child  whisky  and  water  when  it  is  thirsty. 


44 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


A mother  brought  her  child  to  the  writer  for  ad- 
vice. It  was  a real  American  baby,  built  after  the 
design  of  a Rutabaga  turnip,  big  about  the  head, 
and  tapering  to  a point  like  a tadpole,  a large  scrof- 
ulous abdomen,  with  small  neck  and  wasted  limbs. 

Dr.  E.  “Madam,  your  child  is  scrofulous,  and  is 
suffering  from  imperfect  nutrition.” 

Mother.  “ Doctor,  what  can  you  do  for  it  ? ” 

Dr.  E.  “ I can  cure  your  child,  if  you  will  take  it 
home  and  cover  its  bare  limbs  with  flannel,  feed  it 

only  three  times  a 
day  on  plain, 
wholesome  food, 
let  it  play  in  the 
open  air,  and 
in  your  stove- 
wood.” 

Mother.  “ Doctor, 
what  do  you  mean 
by  ‘ plain,  whole- 
some food  ? ’ for 
his  appetite  is  very 
delicate,  and  if  I 
did  not  prepare  dainty  dishes  for  him,  I believe  he 
would  die  for  want  of  appetite.” 

Dr.  E.  “ Do  not  worry,  Madam,  about  his  dying. 
Feed  him  oatmeal  gruel,  Graham  bread,  fruits,  a 
little  lean  meat,  and  no  ‘nick-nacks,’  and  at 


child’s  battle  foe  life. 


45 


regular  intervals : liis  appetite  will  come  to 

him.” 

Mother.  “ But,  Doctor,  look  at  his  poor  little  arm  ! 
One  stick  of  wood  would  break  it  off ; then,  every 
time  he  go£s  out  doors  he  takes  cold.” 

So  the  fond,  foolish,  mother  took  her  child  home. 
She  would  not  allow  him  to  breathe  pure  air  for 
fear  he  would  catch  cold,  as  did  the  mother  who 
would  not  allow  Fritz  to  go  into  the  water  until 
he  had  first  learned  to  swim. 

She  pandered  to  his  false  appetite  with  tarts  and 
tit-bits  and  pastry.  The  child  grew  paler  and  paler, 
and  the  curtains  were  drawn  a little  closer,  and  a 
little  closer,  to  shut  out  the  least  stray  streaks  of 
sunlight  until,  by-and-by,  the  foolishness  of  the 
mother  prevailed  over  the  providence  of  God,  and 
the  child  died.  It  died  because  the  mother  was 
too  ignorant  to  care  for  it.  The  same  treatment 
would  have  killed  the  kitten. 

Over  the  cradle,  the  mother  is  consoled  by  such 
phrases  as,  “ The  mysterious  Providence  of  God,” 
“ The  Lord  giveth,  and  the  Lord  taketh  away,”  etc., 
etc.  Such  remarks  do  not  apply  to  the  occasion,  and 
are  simply  cant.  That  a “Providence”  does  sur- 
round our  misfortunes,  and  that  the  mother  or  others 
may  learn  lessons  of  faith,  patience,  and  humility, 
is  not  to  be  questioned.  Still  the  fact  stands  alone, 

, the  child  died  because  it  was  improperly  cared  for. 


46  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

The  Lord  mourns  over  that  empty  cradle  with  the 
mother . 

In  a New  England  city  were  ladies  who  pampered 
their  poodle-dogs  as  many  mothers  do  their  Charlies . 
When  these  poodles  became  dyspeptic,*  they  were 
sent  to  a notorious  “poodle  doctor”  without  the  city. 
In  due  time  the  little  patients  were  pronounced 
cured,  and  returned  to  their  mistresses  full  of  health 
and  mischief.  The  doctor’s  treatment  was  a mys- 
tery, and  is  explained  as  follows  : The  poodles  had 
ample  play-ground,  in  the  middle  of  which  was  an 
open  shed,  through  which  the  pure  air  circulated 
from  sunrise  to  sunrise  again.  Blankets  and  shav- 
ings furnished  a comfortable  bed  for  the  invalids, 
who  were  provided  with  milk  twice  a day,  lean 
meat  once  a day,  and  a long  whip  three  or  four  times 
during  the  day.  Simple  diet,  pure  air,  and  ample 
exercise  restored  them  to  health.  The  same  pre- 
scription would  save  many  a pampered  “ Charley ; ” 
then  mothers’  hearts  would  not  be  widowed,  and  the 
child  would  not  go  up  over  the  mountains  to  God. 

§ 27.  The  Last  American  Child  is  Born 

unless  society  retraces  its  steps.  There  is,  and  will 
continue  to  be,  the  olden  number  of  babies;  but 
children  we  do  not  see  any  more.  By  children , I 
mean  sensible,  modest,  respectful  specimens  of  the 
genus  homo , between  the  ages  of  five  and  fifteen 


THE  LAST  AMERICAN  CHILD  IS  BORN. 


47 


years.  One  who  lias  not  been  to  Palestine  or  a 
fashionable  boarding-school,  who  does  not  “ know  ” 
threefold  more  than  her  mother,  who  does  not  know 
enough  to  interrupt  elderly  people  in  conversation, 
who  will  wait  until  grandfather  is  served  at  the 
table,  who  will  be  as  respectful  to  servants  as  grand- 
mother is;  in  short,  a quiet,  modest,  healthy,  cheer- 
ful, obedient,  respectful  little  girl ; or  a boy  between 
the  ages  mentioned,  who  does  not  chew  tobacco,  or 
smoke  cigars,  or  drink,  or  belong  to  a “ fast  ” base- 
ball club,  who  does  not  speak  of  his  father  as  “ the 
governor,”  or  call  him  “ old  man ; ” who  has  ever 
learned  and  not  forgotten  the  “ sir,”  or  “ mam,”  when 
addressed  by  one  old  enough  to  be  his  father  or 
mother.  A modest,  respectful,  polite  boy.  One 
almost  feels  “ mine  eyes  would  grow  younger  ” at 
such  a sight. 

Europe  is  still  an  “ old  fogy”  and  is  proud  of  her 
children.  Lord  D recently  addressed  the  Mon- 

treal Normal  School,  as  follows  : “ I confess  if  there 
is  any  criticism  which  I have  to  pass  upon  the  youth 
of  this  new  country — I do  not  say  of  Canada  espe- 
cially, but  of  the  continent  of  America — it  is  that  I 
have  been  struck  by  the  absence  of  the  deference 
and  respect  for  those  who  are  older  than  themselves, 
to  which  we  still  cling  in  Europe.  I have  observed, 
in  traveling  on  board  the  steamboats  on  the  St.  Law- 
rence, children  running  about  from  one  end  to  the 


48 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


other,  whom,  more  than  once,  I have  been  tempted 
to  take  up  and  give  a good  whipping.  I have  seen 
them  thrust  aside  two  gentlemen  in  conversation, 
trample  on  ladies’  dresses,  shoulder  their  way  about, 
without  a thought  of  the  inconvenience  they  were 
occasioning,  and,  what  was  more  remarkable,  these 
little  thoughtless  indiscretions  did  not  seem  to  at- 
tract the  attention  of  their  parents.” 

It  sounds  strange  to  hear  a man  of  culture  talk 
about  the  necessity  of  childish  politeness.  As 
though  a true-born  American  baby  had  not  an  in- 
herent right  to  trample  on  every  law  of  politeness 
and  good-breeding ! As  though  he  had  not  a right 
to  be  a “ puppy,”  or  a social  pirate,  or  anything  else 
he  pleases ! As  though  the  saucy 
little  impertinent  compound  of 
“ boarding-house  manners  ” and  em- 
broidery,  should  be  respectful  to 
her  mother  or  anybody  else  ! 

Seriously,  we  have  our  kinder - 
gar  tens,  and  too  much  cannot  be 
said  in  their  praise,  if  their  teach- 
ers are  competent ; and  we  spend 
largely  of  our  means  for  common 
school  purposes ; but  the  shame  and  crime  of  Ameri- 
can parentage  are  exhibited  in  the  large  proportion 
of  impertinent  and  impolite  children  which  issue  from 
homes  of  worldly  wealth  and  Christian  pretension. 


LITTLE  IMPERTINENT  GIRL. 


THE  LAST  AMERICAN  CHILD  IS  BORN. 


49 


The  observer  is  often  at  a loss  where  to  place  his 
outraged  sense  of  propriety,  whether,  as  did  Lord 
D — — , in  a desire  to  punish  the  children,  or  to  let 
it  rest  on  the  underbred  and  indulgent  parent,  who, 
by  lack  of  administrative  power,  looseness,  or  vagrant 
views  of  “ liberal  education,”  is  primarily  responsible 
for  the  ill-conduct  of  the  child. 


4 


CHAPTER  IV. 


28.  Teeth  and  Digestive  Organs. 

OOTH  building  is  a simple,  nat- 
ural, painless  process.  If  mothers 
eat  proper  food  before  the  child 
is  born,  and  during  the  nursing 
period,  the  teeth  will  appear  at 
the  proper  time  and  without  un- 
usual excitement ; the  child  will 
suffer  no  functional  disturbances 
and  soothing  syrups 'will  be  un- 
known. 

A Mother’s  Story.  A mother 
once  said  to  the  writer,  “ Before 
my  first  child  was  born  and  during  the  nursing  pe- 
riod I craved  toast  and  coffee  ; eight  months  after  its 
birth  the  teeth  began  to  appear.  They  were  pale 
blue,  poor,  and  soon  wasted ; soothing  syrups  and 
sleepless  nights  I ever  associate  with  those  months. 
Before  my  second  child  was  born,  and  afterward,  I 
ate  largely  of  codfish.  Three  months  after  the  birth 
of  Hector  the  little  pearls  appeared,  beautiful  and 
bright.  During  the  formation  of  his  teeth  I never 
lost  an  hour’s  sleep  from  the  child’s  illness,  and  he 


TEETH  AND  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS. 


51 


has  never  tasted  soothing  syrups  or  any  nostrum  to 
quiet  pain  or  secure  sleep.” 

This  anecdote  explains  the  whole  matter.  Mothers 
should  disabuse  their  minds  of  the  thought  that  chil- 
dren must  be  more  sickly,  or  sensitive,  during  this 
period  than  at  any  other  time. 

The  ignorance  of  mothers  on  this  point  is  only 
equaled  by  the  wickedness  of  infant  destruction 
occasioned  by  all  those  cordials  which  produce  sleep, 
and  impair  the  mind  and  digestion  of  the  child. 
Material  for  enamel  of  teeth  is  found  in  fishes,  lean 
meats,  vegetables,  and  the  hull  of  grain  ; and  if  these 
articles  be  used  as  diet  during  the  forming  process, 
the  child  has  a guarantee  for  good  teeth. 

The  lion’s  whelp  has  perfect  teeth  from  meat; 
the  buffalo  or  bison,  from  grass  alone ; and  the  ele- 
phant builds  teeth  to  outlast  a century  from  simple 
vegetables.  Our  cats,  calves,  and  dogs  have  no  tooth- 
ache. Good  vegetables,  grains,  or  meats  ever  make 
good  teeth  if  properly  used.  New  England  builds 
the  best  teeth  in  America  from  beans,  brown  bread, 

and  fish.  Sugar,  starch,  butter,  lard,  and  the  differ- 

* 

ent  preparations  of  white  flour  have  not  the  elements 
from  which  perfect  teeth  are  made.  Brown  bread 
contains  a “ mouthful  of  blessings.” 

Parents  need  a quickened  moved  sense  which  will 
deny  their  children  sweetmeats,  cakes,  and  whatever 
else  deprives  them  of  good  teeth,  and  that  will  give 


52 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


in  their  stead  unbolted  bread,  meats,  milk,  and  fruits ; 
in  short,  almost  any  food  not  deprived  of  its  natural 
elements. 


§ 29.  How  to  Preserve  Teeth. 

First.  Avoid  hot  drinks.  The  still-fed  cow  soon 
loses  her  teeth.  The  warmer  her  mess  the  sooner 
they  decay. 

Second.  Remove  all  substances  from  between  the 
teeth  after  each  meal.  Tooth-picks  should  be  of 
wood  or  quill, — of  metals,  the  gold  is  preferable. 

Hard.  The  best  dentifrices  are  a soft  brush,  soft 
towel,  and  soft  water. 

Fourth.  Avoid  cracking  nuts  with  the  teeth,  also 
smoking  and  chewing  tobacco. 

Fifth.  Keep  your  teeth  bright  by  abstaining  from 
vinegar  and  chewing  crusts  of  bread  and  hard 
crackers. 

§ 30.  Healthy  Human  Digestion 

Depends  largely  upon  the  proper  use  of  teeth.  The 
formation  of  the  first,  or  milk  teeth , commence^ 
three  months  before  the  child  is  born.  They  are 
twenty  in  number,  and  are  conrpleted  when  the 
child  is  two  and  a half  years  old.  About  the  fifth 
or  seventh  year  these  begin  to  give  place  to  the 
permanent  teeth.  The  fangs  of  the  first  are  ab- 
sorbed, and  gradually  the  second  set  is  formed.  The 


THE  MOUTH  A SUGAR  FACTORY. 


53 


latter  are  thirty-two  in  number,  and  are  complete, 
generally,  about  the  seventeenth  year,  but  sometimes 
later  than  the  thirtieth  year  of  age. 

For  convenience  the  teeth  may  be  divided  into 
incisors  and  molars,  or,  cutters  and  grinders. 

Enamel  of  Teeth.  The  crown  is  covered  by  some- 
thing analogous  to  glass.  It  is  the  hardest  of  all 
organic  structures,  and  if  once  destroyed  is  slowly 
or  never  repaired.  This  incrustation  of  enamel  is 
protected  by  a membrane  about  one-thirty-thousandth 
part  of  an  inch  in  thickness,  closely  adherent,  and 
called  the  cuticle  of  the  enamel. 

The  body  of  the  tooth  is  composed  of  dentine  or 
tooth  ivory , which  is  analogous  to  bone,  but  much 
harder,  and  less  capable  of  repair.  Inside  of  this  is 
the  pulp  cavity,  in  which  are  nerves  and  blood- 
vessels. This  is  the  only  part  of  the  teeth  endowed 
with  sensibility. 

Comparative  anatomy  evidently  teaches  that  the 
human  race  is  designed  to  live  on  a mixed  diet ; but 
experience  has  taught  that  man  can  live  indefinitely 
on  a diet  of  either  animal  or  vegetable  composition. 

§ 31.  The  Mouth  a Sugar  Factory. 

Solid  food  should  be  retained  in  the  mouth  until 
it  is  divided  by  the  action  of  the  teeth,  without 
which  stomach  digestion  is  prolonged  and  difficult. 
A neglect  of  mastication  is  a common  cause  of 


54 


UK.  EVERETTS  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


THE  OLD  LADY’S  CATERPILLAR  CURE  FOR  WHOOPING-COUGH.  (See  p.  IS.) 


THE  MOUTH  A SUGAR  FACTORY. 


55 


dyspepsia.  During  the  commi- 
nution of  food  in  the  mouth  it 
becomes  saturated  with  saliva, 
which  is  necessary  to  timely 
digestion  of  starchy  substances. 

About  three  pints  of  saliva 
are  secreted  in  a day,  by  three 
pairs  of  glands  situated  near 
and  emptying  into  the  mouth. 
The  importance  of  this  saliva  is 
obvious  from  the  following 
facts  : — First.  Starch  cannot 
subserve  purposes  of  food  until 
after  it  is  converted  into  sugar. 
Secono. l.  A granule  of  starch  is 
instantly  converted  into  sugar 
by  being  saturated  with  saliva. 

Iodine  brought  in  contact 
with  starch  yields  a blue  line. 
Mix  starch  with  saliva  and  im- 
mediately apply  iodine,  which 
is  the  chemical  test  for  starch, 
and  you  will  fail  to  secure  the 
blue  line. 

Now  apply  the  chemical  test 
for  sugar  to  the  compound  of 
starch  and  saliva  and  you  will 
satisfy  yourself  that  the  mouth 


DIGESTIVE  APPARATUS. 


A.  Stomach ; B.  Left  lobe  of  liver : 
C.  Rectum;  D.  Transverse  colon; 
E.  Descending  colon;  F.  Small  intes- 
tines; G.  Ascending  colon. 


56  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

is  a sugar  factory,  or  that  saliva  converts  starch  into 
sugar. 

The  tube  leading  from  the  mouth  to  the  stomach 
is  called  ^Esophagus,  which  serves  to  conduct  the 
food  to  the  stomach. 

§ 32.  Stomach  secrets  Solved. 

Dr.  Beaumont  contributed  largely  to  Physiological 
science  by  experiments  upon  Alexis  St.  Martin.  In 
these  the  process  of  digestion  was  exposed  to  actual 
observation,  which  rendered  facts  to  prove  what  were 
before  mere  views  of  conjecture.  Tims  were  studied 
the  action  of  the  stomach  and  its  juices  upon  differ- 
ent articles,  and  upon  the  same  kind  of  food  differ- 
ently prepared.  For  instance,  the  time  required 
for  digestion  of  uncooked  cabbage,  two  hours  and  a 
half ; cabbage  with  vinegar,  two  hours ; boiled  cab- 
bage, four  hours  and  a half. 

In  this  way  theoretical  propositions  have  been 
gradually  substituted  by  positive  knowledge.  Add 
to  this  the  labors  of  organic  chemists,  who  have  de- 
termined the  composition  and  food  value  of  meats, 
vegetables,  and  fruits,  and  dietetics  approximates 
a science. 

§ 33.  The  Stomach  and  its  Work. 

It  is  a pouch  situated  beneath  the  diaphragm  to- 
wards the  left  centre  of  the  ti'unk  of  the  body.  (See 
p.  55).  In  shajie  it  resembles  a bagpipe.  Its  capa- 


TIIE  STOMACH  AND  ITS  WORK. 


57 


city  varies  from  one  to  five  pints,  in  rare  cases  capa- 
ble of  holding  from  two  to  three  gallons. 

The  stomach  is  constructed  of  three  (or  four) 
coats,  a serous,  muscular  and  mucous. 

The  inner  or  mucous  coat  is  the  most  important  in 
this  connection,  containing  as  it  does  gastric  and 
mucous  glands.  The  former  secrete  from  one  to 
fourteen  pints  of  gastric  juice  in  twenty-four  hours. 
The  secretion  from  the  mucous  glands  of  the  stomach 
has  no  digestive  property  so  far  as  known. 

Gastric  juice  dissolves  the  albuminoid  portions 
of  food.  Its  quality  and  quantity  largely  determine 
the  character  of  the  digestion.  Gluttony,  anger, 
fear  or  fever,  frequently  arrest  the  secretion  of  this 
stomach- juice.  Under  their  influences  the  lining 
coat  becomes  red  and  dry,  or  pale  and  moist.  At  such 
times,  Dr.  Beaumont  informs  us,  large  quantities  of 
water  are  immediately  absorbed,  while  solid  food 
remains  in  the  stomach  undigested  for  twenty-four 
or  forty-eight  hours. 

After  this  second  stage  of  digestion  the  food  is 
passed  in  small  quantities  to  the  duodenum  or  second 
stomach,  where  it  meets  the  pancreatic  juice  and  the 
bile.  Here  occur  the  third  and  fourth  stages  of 
digestion. 

In  the  twenty -five  feet  of  small  intestines,  follow- 
ing, the  fifth  stage  or 


58 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


§ 34.  Bowel  Digestion 

takes  place.  Physiologists  have  not  clearly  defined 
views  concerning  the  function  or  action  of  the  intes- 
tinal juice  secreted  in  the  jejunum  and  ileum.  The 
importance  of  this  stage  of  digestion  is,  however, 
evident  from  the  facts  that  the  nutritious  properties 
of  the  food,  chiefly,  are  carried  to  the  blood  from 
this  portion  of  the  alimentary  canal,  and  that  a 
very  large  proportion  of  the  entire  digestive  juices 
are  here  secreted.  According  to  Murchison,  the  sali- 
vary glands  secrete  in  twenty-four  hours  three  pints ; 
stomach,  twelve  or  fourteen  pints;  pancreas,  twelve 


GLANDS  WHICH  SECRETE  INTESTINAL  JUICES,  MAGNIFIED. 

and  a half  pints;  liver,  two  pints;  while  that 
secreted  by  the  small  bowel  proximates  from  forty 
to  eighty  pints.  Here,  however,  the  digestion  is 
effected  by  the  combined  action  of  all  the  digestive 
juices,  so  that  we  have  hitherto  been  unable  to  cor- 
rectly estimate  the  influence  of  any  one  fluid  at  this 
stage.  It  is  safe  to  infer  that  bowel  digestion  has 
hitherto  attracted  less  attention  than  it  merits,  and 
that  bowel  dyspepsia  is  a more  fruitful  source  of 
suffering;  than  has  been  referred  to  it. 

O 


COLON  OR  LARGE  BOWEL. 


59 


Much  of  what  is  commonly  called  “ Biliousness  ” is 
simply  indigestion  at  this  stage. 

Thus  we  close  a hasty  description  of  the  machinery 
by  which  food  is  changed,  so  that  it  may  be  con- 
verted into  blood,  to  subserve  the  demand  of  the 
several  tissues. 

I repeat  the  several  digestions , or  stages  of  diges- 
tion. The  first,  occurs  in  the  mouth ; the  second,  in 
the  stomach;  the  third,  is  pancreatic  digestion;  the 
fourth,  liver  digestion ; and  the  fifth,  and  most  im- 
portant, we  call  intestinal  or  bowel  digestion.  Dys- 
pepsia may  refer  to  one,  more,  or  all  of  these  stages ; 
hence  there  are  several  kinds  of  dyspepsia. 

§ 35.  Colon,  or  Large  Bowel. 

The  contents  pass  from  the  small  into  the  larger 
bowel,  and  its  return  is  prevented  by  a valve  formed 
by  a protrusion  of  the  small  intestine  in  the  colon.* 

The  large  bowel  may  be  called  a reservoir , and 
though  it  possesses  great  absorbing  powers,  it  will 
not  be  profitable  to  dwell  upon  it  as  a digestive 
organ.  It  should  be  unloaded  once  in  twenty-four 

* Here  may  be  settled  the  difference  between  Hydropathic  and  medical 
men  as  to  the  practical  value  of  cathartics.  The  large  bowel  may  be 
emptied  by  injection  ; not  so  the  small.  “ Summer  complaints”  are  fre- 
quently caused  by  the  retention  of  indigestible  substances  in  the  folds  of 
the  small  intestines.  To  cure  we  must  remove  the  obstruction,  which  is 
easily  effected  by  a simple  cathartic,  but  wholly  beyond  the  reach  of  an 
injection. 


60 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


liours.  This  may  be  encouraged  by  the  use  of  coarse 
bread  or  oat-meal,  and  fruits,  especially  figs  and  ap- 
ples, as  food,  and,  when  necessary,  we  may  properly 
resort  to  enemata  of  tepid  water. 


CHAPTER  V. 


Concerning  Food. 

§ 36.  Classification  of  Food. 


The  following,  in 
time,  may  be  greatly  and 
gladly  improved  ; but, 
at  present,  the  writer 
regards  it  as  a practical 
statement  of  the  most 
advanced  views  on  the 
food  question.  As  such, 
it  is  offered  to  the  kindly 
consideration  of  those 
who  can  profit  by  it,  and  for  improvement  by  those* 
who  may  hereafter  serve  the  public  better. 

The  common  method  of  classifying  food,  into  the 
nitrogenous  and  non-nitrogenous,  is  too  general  for 
practical  purposes ; to  the  chemist  and  physiologist 
these  terms  may  convey  distinct  ideas;  but  to  the 
general  reader  they  express  very  little. 

The  following  is  not  less  scientific,  and  is  easily 
applied. 

First.  Mineral  matters  for  Brain  and  Bone, — these 
are  not  separable  as  yet  by  organic  chemistry,  and 


62 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


we  may  group  them  together.  Liebig  denominates 
them  Phosphates,  because  phosphorus  is  so  fre- 
quently present ; and  because  this  element  contra- 
distinguishes largely  the  brain  and  bone  from  other 
solid  substances  of  the  body.  Under  this  head  we 
shall  group  the  food  most  suitable  for  brain  and 
bone  building. 

o 

Second.  A second  class  embraces  elements  forming 
the  base  of  all  solid  tissues,  but  found  chiefly  in  the 
muscular  structure, — these  are  called  Nitrogenous. 

Third.  This  class  may  be  called  Carbonoids,  or  Car- 
bonaceous, as  they  consist  of  articles  which  subserve 
purposes  of  combustion,  and  represent  the  heating 
or  warming  substances  of  the  body.  Alone  they 
would  support  life  but  for  a limited  time.  They 
constitute  a very  large  per  cent,  of  all  food  required, 
and  are  found  very  plentifully  in  meats  and  vege- 
tables. According  to  Liebig,  this  class  is  heating 
and  breathing  food ; and  as  such  they  must  have  an 
equivalent  of  mechanical  power.  They  also  serve 
through  oxydation,  to  produce  acid  compounds  need- 
ful in  digestive  juices  and  bile,  also  several  acids 
found  in  perspiration. 

Fourth.  A class  which  contains  little  or  no  nutri- 
tion, but  forms  the  waste  of  most  articles  of  vegeta- 
ble food,  to  which  may  be  added  the  Gelatin  of 
animal  tissues. 


TABLE  COMMANDMENTS  WANTED. 


63 


These  four  classes  are  represented  by  the  follow- 
ing, which  is  a modified  table  from  Bellows. 

Table  I. 


1st  Class. 

PHOSPHATES. 

2d  Class. 
NITROGENOUS. 

3d  Class. 

CARBONOIDS. 

Active  fishes. 

Fishes. 

Batter. 

Wild  goose. 

Cheese. 

Lard. 

Lean  meats. 

Lean  meats. 

Fats. 

Oatmeal. 

Beans. 

Oils. 

Beans. 

Peas. 

Fine  flour. 

Peas. 

Oats. 

Rice. 

Wheat. 

4th  Class. 
WASTE. 


Green  vegetables. 
Berries. 

Fruits.  * f 

Gelatin,  TOP  Git 

G 

. ^ME-RCAN  1 

\ LiBR f 3 

\i  ^ S 

A judicious  diet  would  be  composed  about dhu^M  5 » 
Of  Phosphates  from  2 to  4 parts. 

Of  Nitrogenous  “ 12  to  18  parts. 

Of  Carbonoids  “ 50  to  80  parts. 

These  are  found  mixed  in  both  animal  and  vege- 
table food,  and  should  be  so  eaten.  By  extracting 
starch,  oils,  and  sugar,  and  using  them  in  undue  pro- 
portions, we  sacrifice  mind,  health,  and  beauty.  Men- 
tal stupidity  and  physical  corpulency,  also  neuralgia, 
by  underfeeding  the  nerves,  are  thus  superinduced. 

In  our  use  of  milk  and  wheat  we  continually  in- 
vite disease  by  wasting  the  best  of  both. 


§ 37.  Table  Commandments  Wanted. 

Every  year  of  the  past  half  century  has  contribu- 
ted something  to  our  general  understanding  of  the 
food  cpiestion.  Formerly,  hasty  inferences  from 


64  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

facts,  supposed  or  real,  and  a loose  empiricism  were 
the  only  guide.  Later,  the  experiences  of  Conaro 
and  Graham,  and  statements  from  Liebig,  challenged 
thought  and  provoked  experiments. 

Banting  astonished  the  world  with  the  statement 
that  the  fatness  or  the  leanness  of  a man  depended 
on  what  he  ate,  or  that  he  had  starved  himself  into 
respectable  human  proportions  by  ceasing  his  glut- 
tony. Moses  told  his  people  (Lev.  xi.  9-12)  to  eat 
fish  with  fins  and  scales,  and  avoid  those  which  had 
none ; and  an  English  king  was  severely  judged,  be- 
caused  he  died  from  an  overdose  of  Lamprey  eels. 
To-day  the  eel  and  sturgeon,  and  almost  all  scaleless 
fishes  are  common  articles  of  diet. 

Since  the  great  German  chemist  touched  food  with 
the  fire  of  his  genius  the  scientific  world  has  been 
questioning  and  quarreling  like  overgrown  children. 

It  were  idle  to  attempt  a succinct  statement  of  how 
or  why  we  have  attained  our  present  relation  to  the 
food  question.  The  results  are  neither  certain  nor 
satisfactory.  The  common  reader  looks  in  vain  for 
a set  of  table  commandments  that  will  regulate  his 
body ; and  the  student  who  seeks  a settlement  in 
the  higher  domain  of  scientific  controversy,  finds  only 
dogmatic  opinions,  personal  vanities,  and  a.  mass  of 
facts,  waiting  for  other  facts,  and  somebody  to 
arrange  them  all  into  a system  which  shall  be  practi- 
cally applied  to  every-day  life. 


BATTLE  AMONG-  THE  DOCTORS. 


65 


Dr.  Davy  says,  “ In  no  other  class  than  that  of 
fishers  do  we  see  larger  families,  handsomer  women, 
or  more  robust  and  active  men.”  Also,  that  fish-eat- 
ers as  a class  “ are  strong,  healthy,  and  prolific.”  A 
medical  teacher  of  some  repute  in  New  York  city, 
declares  fish  fit  food  for  -fools,  and  denies  its  brain- 
nourishing  properties.  The  poor  doctor  was  taught 
such  nonsense  when  a boy,  and,  like  the  Bourbons, 
he  has  limited  capacity  for  learning  anything  new  or 
forgetting  anything  old. 

§ 38.  Battle  Among  the  Doctors. 

Liebig,  having  determined  that  muscular  tissue 
was  formed  mostly  of  nitrogen,  said  nitrogenous  food 
is  required  to  supply  its  waste.  Also  that  muscular 
tissue  would  require  greater  repair  with  much  use 
than  little,  and  that,  therefore,  the  nitrogen  elimi- 
nated would  hold  a certain  ratio  to  the  use  of  the 
muscle.  This  simple,  almost  self-evident  inference 
lias  been  warmly  contested.  Because  the  excretions 
did  not  show  waste  of  nitrogen,  in  due  proportion  to 
the  exercise  of  muscle,  Liebig  was  discredited. 

Then  the  question  arose  whether  the  emunctory 
organs  did  not  exhibit  the  elements  of  nitrogenous 
tissue  in  a changed  form,  as  a partial  product  of  their 
labor.  Thence  came  the  question  as  to  said  muscu- 
lar tissue  assuming  a fatty  degeneration.  Liebig  had 
argued,  on  chemical  grounds,  in  favor  of  its  occurrence 

5 


66  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

(see  Pavy  on  Food,  pp.  90-96).  Virchow  thinks 
it  probable ; Carpenter  suggests  a partial  explana- 
tion. We  may  regard  this  at  present  as  contested 
ground,  with  a more  than  probable  chance  that  the 
end  will  prove  a waste  of  muscular  tissue  propor- 
tioned to  its  exercise. 

In  the  New  York  Medical  Journal  for  June,  1871, 
is  reported  observations  made  bj"  Dr.  Austin  Flint, 
Jr.,  during  Weston’s  five  days’  walk,  strongly  corrob- 
orative of  Liebig’s  views  concerning  muscular  waste 
and  muscular  exercise.  Time,  patient  observation, 
and  experiments  will  make  complete  what  is  now 
fragmentary ; and  let  us  hope  we  are  on  the  margin 
of  discoveries  which  will,  with  certainty,  state  the 
law  by  which  we  can  wisely  regulate  the  diet,  both 
with  reference  to  the  character  and  composition  of 
the  structure  nourished,  and  the  quality  and  quan- 
tity of  the  exercise  involved. 

§ 39.  Does  Fat  or  Phosphorus  “Determine  the  Character  of  Mental 

Action  ? ” 

With  a peculiar  obstinacy,  physiologists  refuse  to 
see  more  in  food  than  the  organic  structure,  with  its 
nitrogenous  base,  and  the  fuel-fat  which  provides 
molecular  combustion.  That  a certain  kind  of  food 
is  needful  for  strength,  and  another  for  tempera- 
ture, they  can  see ; but  that  another  certain  kind  is 
equally  required  for  manifestation  of  mind,  is  what 


DOES  EAT  DETERMINE  MENTAL  ACTION?  67 

they  habitually  overlook,  or  silently  ignore.  There 
are  not  three  books  on  dietetics  within  the  English 
language,  which  would  prescribe  a different  diet  for 
Bacon,  Stuart  Mill,  or  Spencer,  than  they  would  for 
the  commonest  mediocre  do-nothing  in  the  land ; the 
philosopher  and  fool  require  the  same  food.  Prac- 
tically, they  see  a man,  and  they  prescribe  nitroge- 
nous food  for  strong  tissues,  and  carbon  to  heat  the 
body  up  and  keep  it  going,  that  is  all. 

A common  mind  presents  itself.  It  has  the  usual 
ego  inheritance,  which  is  common  sense  and  an  inter- 
rogation mark.  It  sees  a steam  engine,  watches  the 
whirl  of  wheels,  sees  the  smoke,  next  the  boiler,  and, 
lastly,  it  sees  the  source  of  all,  the  furnace.  Its  curi- 
osity and  admiration  extend  back,  from  effect  to 
cause,  and  end  with  the  chunk  of  charcoal. 

It  sees  another  mill  with  its  wonderful  shuttles 
and  grooves  deftly  clothing  the  race.  Its  million 
spindles  spinning,  and  other  frames  weaving,  the 
silks  and  satins  which  more  than  match  everything, 
save  the  fair  forms  which  wear  them.  Its  cunning 
wheels  with  prancing,  dizzy  joy,  praising  the  hand 
that  made  them.  Back  still  further  is  the  coarse, 
creaking,  rumbling  water-wheel,  and  a step  farther 
is  the  pond  of  water.  The  admiration  of  this  com- 
mon mind  focalizes  over  the  hot  furnace  and  the  fish- 
pond. Its  stupid  senses  see  no  further. 

It  cannot  see  the  coining  mind,  which  burnt  the 


68 


DR.  EVERETT  S HEAT/TH  FRAGMENTS, 


A CHEERFUL  MEAL.  (See  p.  38.) 


DOES  FAT  DETERMINE  MENTAL  ACTION? 


69 


candle  low  in  the  socket  for  half  a lifetime,  until, 
out  of  his  wild  dream,  or  sleepless  night,  was  born 
the  thought  which  formed  the  machine,  that  seemed 
kindled  into  life  by  a spark  from  the  All  Forming. 
It  cannot  se^ 
the  divine 
part  of  th 
pale  m a 
which 

t h e rolling 
rive  r,  and 
summons  the 
coal  beds  to 
feed  the 
being  he  has 
just  created. 

Not  in  fat 
or  flesh,  but 
in  the  spar- 
kling phos- 
phates lies 


THE  BRAIN- WORKER  MUST  HAVE  PHOSPHATIO  FOOD. 


“ coiled  the 

power”  which  turns  the  wheels  of  this  world,  and 
visits  the  stars  of  others. 

It  is  not  the  wires  or  decomposed,  coarse  copper 
that  carries  thought  across  the  continent. 


It  was  not  the  winds  that  tossed  Franklin’s  kite 
about,  or  the  hand  that  held  it ; but  the  genius  that 


70  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

sat  upon  it  as  a crest,  or  surrounded  it  as  a halo, 
that  made  the  kite  immortal. 

In  some  ways  the  world  works  clumsily  enough ; 
hut  fat  is  not  the  best  of  man;  nor  is  his  thought 
made  of  it ; nor  does  his  soul  live  in  it  more  than 
the  genius  does  in  the  mill-pond.  The  clod  builds 
the  grain,  the  grain  feeds  the  man,  and  the  man 
talks  with  Glod ; but  the  clod  is  not  a companion  of 
divinity.  It  is  only  a foot-stool.  The  fats  keep  the 
body  warm,  and  generate  molecular  force ; but  they 
no  more  coin  the  thought  than  the  clod  sits  in  the 
counsels  of  heaven.  If  fats  represented  the  genius 
of  food,  then  would  the  scales  determine  the  volume 
of  thought,  as  they  do  the  volume  of  beef.  On  the 
contrary,  the  stupidest,  laziest,  lowest,  most  useless 
and  thoughtless  of  the  human  species  are  often  the 
fattest. 

You  cannot  live  without  fat  any  more  than  you 
can  without  water ; but  the  man  is  more  frequently 
smothered  in  the  former  than  in  the  latter. 

The  history  and  lives  of  the  Esquimaux  are  not 
alone  written  in  three  words,  “ drowned  in  fat?  The 
lean  shoat  has  quickened  senses,  and  limbs  fleet  as  a 
steed,  while  his  fat  father  good-naturedly  grunts,  and 
sleeps  life  away. 

On  the  contrary,  in  swift  birds  and  restless  fleas, 
and  the  chit  of  grains  whence  the  new  life  starts, 
and  within  the  skulls  of  bright  men,  and  not  within 


SOMETHING  WE  KNOW  OF  THE  FOOD  QUESTION.  7 1 


tlie  skulls  of  fools,  the  phosphorus  is  found  iu  large 
proportions. 

Phosphorus  for  life  and  soul  expression  ; fats  for 
heat,  fuel,  grease,  and  good-nature. 

§ 40.  Something  we  Do  Know  relative  to  the  Food  Question. 

Dr.  Leidy  gives  the  following  as  representing 
the  chemical  composition  of  the  brain  and  spinal 


cord : 

Table  II. 

Water 80 

Albuminous  matter 7 

Fatty  matters  in  association  with  phosphorus.  7 

Osmazome 1 

Phosphates  of  potassa,  lime,  and  magnesia,  | 
chloride  of  sodium,  and  sulphur ) 


100 

Chemical  composition  of  the  gray  and  white  sub- 
stance of  the  brain,  by  Lassaigne : 

Table  IK. 


GRAY.  WHITE. 

Water 85.2  73.0 

Albuminous  matter 7.5  9.9 

Colorless  fat 1.0  13.9 

Red  fat . 3.7  0.9 

Osmazome  and  lactates 1.4  1.0 

Phosphates 1.2  1.3 


100.0 


100.0 


72 


DR.  EVERETT  S HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


“Tlie  fatty  constituents  of  the  brain  are  remarka- 
ble, as  two  of  them,  being  acid  compounds,  contain  a 
large  amount  of  phosphorus,  amounting  to  about 
one-twentieth  of  the  entire  solid  substance  of  the 
brain.” — Aitkerts  Practice , vol.  ii.,  p.  269. 

“ The  fatty  matters  of  the  brain  are  found,  accord- 
ing to  Fremy,  almost  exclusively  in  the  white  sub- 
stance, where  mental  action  does  not  originate.” — 
Gray's  Anatomy. 

“ The  spinal  cord  contains  more  albumen  and  more 
soft  fat  than  the  brain.” — Vagueline. 

Composition  of  spinal  cord  from  L.  Heritier: 


Table  IV. 

Water 

Albumen 

Fat 

Osmazome 

Phosphorus 


710.50 

73.00 
82.50 

115.00 

19.00 

1000.00 


“ The  nerves  contain  more  albumen  and  more  soft 
fat  than  the  brain.” — L.  Heritier. 

“ There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  most  important 
part  of  the  mechanism  engaged  in  mental  action  is 
situated  ill  the  gray  matter  of  the  cerebral  convolu- 
tions. Nerve  cells  (not  fats  or  albumen)  and  nerve 
fibres , only,  are  the  active  agents.” — Beale. 


SOMETHING  WE  KNOW  OF  TOE  FOOD  QUESTION.  73 


“ In  relation  with  the  delicate  living  matter,  situ- 
ated near  the  surface  of  the  gray  matter  of  the  con- 
volutions of  the  brain,  which  is  alone  concerned  in 
mentcd  action , I conceive  that  vital  power  attains  its 
most  exalted  form.  It  seems  temporarily  chained  to 
this  matter,  through  which  alone  it  can  make  itself 
evident.” — Beale. 

“ The  brain  of  man  constitutes  only  about  one- 
fortieth  of  the  weight  of  the  body ; yet  it  receives 
about  one-fifth  of  the  entire  blood,  or  eight  times 
the  quantity  given  to  other  parts  of  equal  weight.” — 
Carpenter. 

“The  blood  returns  from  the  brain  substance 
greatly  altered  in  its  chemical  composition,  espe- 
cially as  regards  the  loss  of  free  oxygen,  and  its 
replacement  by  various  oxycompounds  of  carbon, 
hydrogen,  phosphorus,  etc.,  etc.,  that  have  been 
formed  by  a process  analogous  to  combustion.”— 
Carpenter. 

“ The  supply  of  blood  to  the  cortical  layer,  gray 
matter,  is  far  larger  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of 
its  substance  than  it  is  in  any  other  part  of  the 
body.  Of  the  enormous  amount  of  blood  which 
goes  to  the  brain,  the  white  structure  receives 
comparatively  little.” — Carpenter' 's  Mental  Physiol- 
ogy, p.  94. 


74 


DR.  E’VERETT’S  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


Chemical  composition  of  the  brain  from  Draper : 
Table  V. 


INFANTS. 

"YOUTHS. 

ADULTS. 

AGED. 

IDIOTS. 

Water.  . . . 

827.90 

742.60 

725.10 

738.50 

709.30 

Albumen  . . 

70.00 

102.00 

94.00 

86.50 

84.00 

Fat 

34.50 

53.00 

61.00 

43.20 

50.00 

Osmazome  . 

59.00 

85.90 

101.90 

121.80 

148.20 

Phosphorus  . 

8.00 

16.50 

18.00 

10.00 

8.50 

1000.00 

1000.00 

1000.00 

1000.00 

1000.00 

Proportions  of  fat  in  different  brains : 

An  adult  of  average  intelligence,  l-4th  of  solid  brain. 
Idiot l-5th  “ “ 

Of  the  solid  substance  of  the  brain  there  is  of 
phosphorus : 

In  adults l-15th  part. 

Idiots  have  less  than l-30th  “ 

Inferences. 

First.  If  the  brain  depended  upon  its  fats  or 
albumen  for  its  superior  vital  expression,  its  special 
function  should  be  excelled  by  the  spinal  cord,  and 
many  other  structures  of  the  body. 

Second.  That  if  the  presence  or  appropriation  of 
fats  determined  the  vital  excellence  of  the  brain,  the 
white  substance  should  be  superior  in  that  respect^ 
as  it  contains  more  than  five  times  the  fat  of  the 


CONDITION  OF  BRAIN  AND  NERVES.  75 

gray  matter.  But  to  the  latter  substance  all  phys- 
iologists refer  the  most  exalted  vital  action. 

Third.  If  the  vital  action,  conceded  to  the  brain, 
depended  upon  the  presence  of  albumen,  then  the 
white  matter  must  be  the  superior  seat  of  it ; but 
the  gray  matter  monopolizes  both  the  blood  and  the 
superior  vital  action. 

Fourth.  As  this  exalted  vital  action  cannot  be 
referred  to  the  fats,  or  the  albumen,  we  of  necessity 
refer  it  to  the  phosphorus , which  contradistinguishes 
the  brain  substance  from  all  other  soft  tissues  of  the 
body. 

Fifth.  Chemical  analysis  fully  sustains  this  by 
showing  that  mental  excellence  is  contradistinguished 
from  idiocy,  not  by  superior  show  of  fat,  albumen, 
or  anything  else  except  phosphorus.  That  while 
the  yet  unthinking  child  and  the  idiot  have  but  eight 
to  eight  and  a half  parts  of  phosphorus,  the  average 
adult  man  possesses  eighteen  parts. 

§ 41.  Condition  of  Brain  and  Nerves  Depends  upon  Food. 

The  brain  cannot  be  fed  without  organized  phos- 
phorus. Like  other  tissues  of  the  body,  it  is  contin- 
ually crumbling  away,  and  must  be  rebuilt  or  lost. 
It  has  albumen,  fat,  and  salts,  as  other  parts  of  the 
body;  but,  unlike  the  rest,  it  and  the  bones  abound 
in  phosphorus.  After  severe  mental  labor  the  ex- 
cretions show,  by  experiment,  extra  waste  of  phos- 


76  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

pliorus;  while,  in  France,  the  chemists  claim  to  tell 
quality  and  quantity  of  mind  by  the  soluble  phos- 
phates which  form  so  large  a proportion  of  the  brain. 
A reference  to  table  five  in  the  preceding  paragraph, 
would  seem  to  show  that  their  pretensions  are  not 
entirely  groundless. 

By  the  said  table  it  will  be  seen  that  the  brain  of 
infants,  in  whom  thought  is  feeble  at  best,  and  of 
idiots,  contains  a small  amount  of  phosphorus ; while 
the  age  when  life  is  most  active  and  thought  most 
vigorous,  shows  a corresponding  increase. 

The  writer  feels  more  friendly  to  the  above  con- 
clusion, because  there  are  few  published  facts  bear- 
ing in  an  opposite  direction.  So  far  as  evidence  has 
been  adduced,  it  is  in  favor  of  the  above. 

A prospective  mother,  by  the  selection  of  food 
which  contains  little  or  no  phosphate  of  lime,  may 
give  birth  to  a child  the  bones  of  which  are  soft  and 
pliable.  This  is  because  the  blood  from  which  the 
child’s  body  was  built  contained  but  little  of  those 
elements  which  hardened  the  bones ; with  equal  force, 
we  think,  the  brain  can  be  regenerated  only  by  those 
elements  in  the  blood  which  constitute  its  substance 
and  its  worth.  Debility  of  brain  and  nerves,  com- 
monly called  neuralgia,  can  generally  be  traced  to 
a habit  of  eating  that  which  contains  but  little  phos- 
phorus. One  man  makes  a dinner  of  baked  shad 
and  Graham-bread,  and  he  feels  energetic  and  clear- 


CONDITION  OF  BRAIN  AND  NERVES. 


77 

headed ; another  eats  griddle-cakes,  white  bread, 
butter,  and  sirup,  and  feels  stupid  and  lazy. 

A sehool-boy  who  eats  corn  meal,  rice,  and  molas- 
ses is  in  a poor  condition  for  study.  Observe  the 
lady  with  pinched  features, 
restless  eyes,  sleepless,  cross, 
and  nerves  “ pricking 
through.”  She  has  eaten 
heartily  as  to  bulk,  but  the 
white  bread,  biscuit,  cake, 
toast,  butter,  and  strong  tea 
contained  no  brain  food. 

Literally  her  nerves  have 
been  starved.  This  will 
largely  explain  why  nervous  diseases  are  on  the  in- 
crease in  America.  To  supply  nerve  and  brain ' 
waste,  phosphorus  must  be  organized.  Medical  men 
were  led  into  an  erroneous  practice,  a few  years  ago, 
in  the  treatment  of  consumption.  They  observed, 
in  this  disease,  the  destructive  assimilation  showed 
extra  pkospliatic  waste,  and  endeavored  to  restore  it 
by  phosphoric  acid  combined  with  a base.  The 
remedy  was  inorganic,  and  their  purpose  failed. 
Brain  and  nerve  food  can  only  be  found  in  animal 
and  vegetable  matter. 


NEURALGIA. 


CHAPTER  VL 

Concerning-  Wheat,  Oats,  and  Beans. 

§ 42.  Where  Providence  puts  a Man,  He  plants  Food  for  Him. 


HIS  rule  lias  some  ex- 
ceptions, but  is  gener- 
ally true.  Tlie  tropics 
abound  in  vegetable 
productions  which  . 
would  meanly  feed  a 
Northern  race.  The 
<j>  seals  are  filled  with  fat, 
and  adapted  to  a peo- 
ple who  dwell  in  the 
shadow  of  perennial 
icebergs;  while  the 
same  food  would  breed 
a pestilence  near  the 
Equator. 

English  wheat  con- 
tains much  starch  ; but  the  same  grain  grown  be- 
neath a warmer  sun,  and  in  a warmer  soil,  would 
contain  less  of  the  heating  properties  and  more 
gluten.  Because  the  atmosphere  of  England  is  cold 
and  moist,  the  people  require  much  blood-heating 


OUT  OF  THE  MIST. 


79 


food ; and  its  soil  contains  the  elements  which  pro- 
vide it  for  the  grain. 

Men  who  never  wear  undergarments  in  New  York 
are  compelled  to  adopt  them  in  London.  In  short, 
people  who  live  in  colder  climates  require,  in  their 
food,  elements  which  heat  the  blood,  or  enable  them 
to  resist  the  cold  without,  and  British  wheat  con- 
tains those  properties ; while  the  same  grain,  planted 
in  South  America,  Italy,  or  many  parts  of  Asia, 
would  be  rapidly  changed  into  kernels  containing 
less  starch,  and  more  of  the  nutrient  properties  of 
the  grain. 

This  may  be  better  understood  by  comparing 
Northern  and  Southern  corn.  The  former  contains 
most  of  the  fattening  properties,  while  Southern  corn 
yields  fourfold  more  nourishment  for  brain  and 
bone,  and  nearly  threefold  more  of  muscle-food. 

PHOSPHATES.  NITP.OGENOUS.  CARBONOEDS. 

Northern  corn ...  1 12  68 

Southern  corn ...  4 34  40 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  Southern  corn  is  adapted 
to  brain  work,  while  Northern  corn  may  be  used  to 
fatten  stock,  or  put  school-boys  to  sleep. 

§ 43.  Out  of  the  Mist,  or  Drunkenness,  Diet,  and  Doctors. 

From  the  mongrel  facts  and  almost  universal  jar- 
gon relative  to  the  diet  question,  as  it  is  popularly 
discussed,  we  derive  little  science  and  less  comfort. 


80  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 
Self-constituted  health-teachers  havTe  wrought  with 

o 

less  prudence  than  zeal ; abstract  theories,  empty 
experiences,  and  insipid  dishes  have  been  pushed 
to  the  front,  and  supported  by  an  earnestness  and 
arrogance  only  equaled  by  the  self-denial  and  ver- 
dancy of  the  class  which  claims  to  have  mastered  the 
sum  of  nature’s  secrets  relative  to  human  appetites 
and  indulgences.  The  multitudes  speak  from  their 
stomachs  alone.  False  appetites  and  gluttonous 
desires  disqualify  them  for  the  witness  or  jury  box. 

The  medical  profession  treat  the  diet  question 
with  a temerity,  or  indifference,  almost  inexcusable. 
The  temperance  question  has  taxed  the  ingenuity  of 
legislatures,  judges,  and  philanthropists,  because 
alcohol  robs  this  world  of  work  and  worth.  Un- 
wise table  habits,  gluttony,  and  other  improper  uses 
of  food,  are  far  more  disastrous  to  human  life  and 
human  growth  than  all  forms  of  alcoholic  indul- 
gences combined.  Yea,  fourfold  more.  Most  cases 
of  scrofula,  dyspepsia,  and  drunkenness  may  be 
traced  to  bad  habits  of  eating.  Irritating  and  innu- 
tritive articles  put  into  the  stomach  are  the  chief 
source  of  false  appetites,  which  lead  to  indulgences 
that  end  in  drunkenness.  Hence  society  has  a claim 
upon  the  medical  profession  for  a 'philosophy  of  diet 
which  shall  be  as  much  a part  of  the  youth’s  educa- 
tion as  the  multiplication-table.  At  present  a dis- 
sertation on  scientific  feeding,  by  Huxley,  would  be 


WHEAT  THE  KIHG  OP  COBH. 


81 


as  novel  and  as  interesting  to  tire  literary,  commercial, 
and  clerical  classes  in  America  as  the  discovery  of  a 
new  planet,  or  the  long-sought  northern  passage. 

In  the  consideration  of  a subject  so  common,  of 
which  so  much  is  said,  and  a definite  knowledge  of 
which  is  so  difficult  to  obtain,  it  is  but  natural  to 
expect  a limited  success.  Nor  is  the  task  more 
agreeable,  because  each  proposition  must  be  con- 
tested with  abnormal  appetites, — the  most  impatient 
and  tyrannical  of  human  instincts. 

Sufficient  is  known  of  the  general  question  of  food 
to  deprive  it  of  novelty.  The  facts  involved  are 
sometimes  so  vaguely  stated  as  to  render  them  un- 
serviceable. To  talk  of  proteids , amyloids , and  min- 
erals, found  in  fruits  and  flesh,  and  appropriated  for 
the  regeneration  of  human  tissue,  is  true,  and  may  be 
scientific ; but  it  is  so  obscure  a statement  of  facts 
most  needed,  that  the  mass  profit  as  little  in  their 
rehearsal  as  they  would  in  reading  a poem  in  the 
original  Greek. 


§ 44.  Wheat  the  King  of  “ Corn.” 

Were  man  required  to  name  one  article  of  food 
best  calculated  to  sustain  life  amid  the  varied  labor, 
exposures,  and  zones  of  the  earth,  that  one  would  be 
wheat.  It  is  a species  of  grass  older  than  the  his- 
tory of  any  civilization ; and  to-day  it  finds  expres- 

6 


82 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments, 


THE  POODLE  DOCTOR  AND  HIS  PATIENTS.  (See  p.  46.) 


WHEAT  THE  EHSTG-  OF  CORE. 


83 


sion  in  five  hundred  different  varieties,  and  feeds 
more  millions  than  any  other  named  food. 

Planted  in  colder  soil,  it  develops  properties 
adapted  to  the  people  who  till  it ; while  warm  cli- 
mates yield  wheat  containing  less  of  the  warming 
properties,  and  more  of  the  nitrogenous,  bone  and 
brain  forming  constituents. 

As  the  corn  of  the  Southern  States  differs  from 
that  grown  in  the  North,  so  the  wheat  of  Turkey 
contains  less  of  that  which  warms  the  blood,  than 
the  same  grain  would  produce  if  perfected  in  North- 
ern Europe. 

Wheat  may  be  called  the  monarch  of  all  food, 
from  the  extent  of  its  use,  the  varied  life  it  is  calcu- 
lated to  sustain ; and, 
especially,  because  it 
contains  all  the  ele- 
ments of  the  human 
body  in  about  the 
same  proportion  as 
they  are  there  found. 

W ere  man  given 

wheat  alone  as  it  transverse  section  of  a grain  of  wheat. 

comes  from  the  field,  Heatersand  Fat; 

he  need  only  add  the  pure  water  to  make  his  dietary 
complete.  Thus  he  might  live  into  gray  locks,  make 
laws,  and  rule  nations,  and,  dying,  leave  behind  him 
a strong  and  stainless  life. 


84  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

Of  tlie  seventeen  organizable  elements,  it  contains 
fourteen,  and  these  unequally  distributed  in  different 
parts  of  the  grain.  This  drawing  represents  a trans- 
verse section  of  a grain  of  wheat.  The  outer  rim 
and  what  lies  next  to  it  abound  in  the  proper- 
ties of  muscle,  bone,  and  teeth.  These  include  the 
starch  granules  incased  in  cell-walls,  where  are 
placed  the  heat  and  fat  producers ; while,  inclosed 
by  them  all,  whence  starts  the  new  life  of  the  seed 
grain,  is  securely  placed  the  phosphorus  which 
abounds  in  the  brain  and  nerve  of  man. 

These  three  essential  elements  are  mixed,  each 
contributing  a little  to  the  other;  and  still  each 
having  a home  of  its  own,  where  we  can  always 
find  it. 

Liebig  vehemently  protested  against  his  country- 
men robbing  the  wheat  of  the  rim  and  the  chit,  by 
the  process  of  bolting  the  flour,  especially  as  it  de- 
prived the  bread  of  the  phosjohates  for  brain-nourish- 
ment. Still  the  white  flour  was  preferred,  and  its 
ablest  advocates  contented  themselves  with  answer- 
ing the  great  German  chemist  thus:  “Why  complain? 
If  we  eat  the  starch  and  feed  the  balance  of  the 
grain  to  the  swine,  and  then  eat  the  swine,  what  can 
we  lose?”  So  into  the  swill-barrel  went  the  bran 
and  shorts,  and  out  of  the  pork-barrel  came  scrofu- 
lous meat,  built  in  part  of  that  which  should  have 
nourished  mind,  and  taught  men  better  than  to 


BOLTED  OB  UNBOLTED  ELOUR. 


85 


make  a staple  food  of  so  unhealthy  an  animal  as  the 
hog. 

The  Yankee  was  the  first  to  utilize  Liebig’s  idea 
on  the  food  question.  He  argued  thus : “ If  the  hog 
eats  the  brain  food  he  should  exhibit  more  mentality 
than  is  accredited  to  him ; and  to  test  this,  I will  see 
what  education  can  do  for  him.” 

The  result  is  well  known.  The  Educated  Pig  was 
soon  on  exhibition,  and  beat  the  man  at  his  own 
game  of  “ j>oker.” 

§ 45.  Bolted  or  Unbolted  Flour. 

Bread  to  contain  the  elements  of  the  body  must 
represent  the  entire  wheat.  The  bran  abounds  in 
glittering,  pearly  teeth,  and  long,  strong  bones ; but 
where  the  flour  is  valued  in  proportion  to  its  white- 
ness, the  wheat  is  emasculated  to  produce  that  which 
commands  the  highest  price.  Thus  the  brain,  bone, 
and  muscle  building  qualities  are  extracted,  and  the 
starchy  portion  preserved.  White  flour,  thus  pre- 
pared, has  been  shown  by  actual  experiment  to  be 
incapable  of  sustaining  life  for  a long  period ; and  it 
is  not  surprising  that  Liebig  should  contend  against 
sacrificing  the  most  valuable  parts  of  the  grain  to  a 
false  pride,  or  falsely  educated  palate. 

Americans  are  not  less  careless,  or  criminal,  in  this 
respect.  Aursing  mothers  sacrifice  the  health  of 
their  children  by  an  ill-chosen  diet;  and  in  our 


86 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


toothless  babes,  the  demand  ..for  soothing  syrup, 
false  teeth  in  so  many  girls  not  yet  out  of  their 
“ teens,”  aud  imperfect  forms  of  our  boys  and  girls, 
we  ’see  a strong  reason  why  the  “ staff  of  life  ” should 
not  be  robbed  of  what,  in  a natural  condition,  con- 
tains all  that  is  needed  for  perfect  bodies. 

The  many  preparations  of  white  flour,  by  leaving 


DENTISTS  PROTEST  AGAINST  BROWN  BREAD,  BECAUSE  ITS  USE  LESSENS  THEIR  RECEIPTS. 


the  system  unfed,  produce  that  debilitated  con- 
dition which  leaves  it  a prey  to  every  disease  or 
passing  wind.  To  the  different  preparations  of 
white  flour,  so  liberally  used,  we  charge  imperfect 
nutrition,  neuralgia,  constipation,  and  a good  propor- 
tion of  children  prematurely  buried. 

The  American  people  have  lived  largely  upon 
white  bread,  white  biscuit,  and  an  endless  variety  of 


ANALYSIS  OF  WHEAT. 


87 


white  crackers  for  forty  years,  and  to-day  they  em- 
ploy five  thousand  dentists  at  an  expense  of  five 
million  dollars  each  year ; while  not  three  women  in 
one  hundred  have  perfect  teeth  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
five.  Establish  a general  use  of  brown  bread  in 
every  family,  so  that  the  hull  of  the  wheat  enters  into 
the  composition  of  daily  bread  for  two  generations, 
and,  three  out  of  four  of  all  dentists  would  be  com- 
pelled to  seek  some  other  vocation  as  a means  of 
support. 

§ 46.  Analysis  of  Wheat.— Payen. 

Table  VI. 


Nitrco-enous  matter 

..  14.45-1 

“Water 

Carbohydrates 

..  68.48 

Nitrates  or  muscle-makers. . 

Fatty  natter 

..  1.25 

Carbonates,  or  heat  and  fat 

Minera’  matter 

. . 1.60 

or 

producers 

Water 

..  14.22 

Phosphates,  or  food  for 

brain,  nerves,  etc 

14.22 

14.45 

69.73 

1.6 


This  table  represents  all  the  elements  of  the 
human  body  in  proportions  required  for  heating, 
also  for  the  nourishing  of  brain  and  muscle. 

Under  ordinary  circumstances,  a man  requires  of 
nitrogenous  food  one  fifth  the  amount  of  carbon- 
aceous needed  for  warming  the  body,  and  the  phos- 
phates should  constitute  from  one  and  a half  to  three 
per  cent,  of  the  entire  diet. 

Dr.  Dalton,  quoted  elsewhere,  and  the  following 
tables  are  in  full  accord  with  this  view : 


88 


I)U.  EVERETT’S  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


Table  VII. 

Daily  Requirements  op  the  Body. — Letlieby. 


NITROGE- 

NOUS 

FOOD. 

CARBON- 

ACEOUS 

FOOD. 

CARBON. 

NITROGEN. 

Oz. 

Oz. 

Gr. 

Gr. 

During  idleness  as  determined  by ) 
dietaries ) 

2.67 

19.61  = 

3.816 

180 

During  idleness  as  determined  by  ) 
excretions J 

2.78 

21.60  = 

4.199 

187 

Average 

2.73 

20.60  = 

= 4.005 

184 

Routine  work  as  determined  by } 
dietaries.  f 

4.56 

29.24  = 

= 5.688 

307  / 

Routine  work  as  determined  by[ 
excretions ) 

439 

23.63  = 

= 4.694 

290 

Average 

4.48 

26.44  = 

r 5.191 

3^ 

I 

This  will  be  better  understood  by  a reference  to 
the  following  drawings,  which  exhibit  the  three  im- 
portant principles  in  grains : 


a- 


WHEAT.  SOUTHERN  CORN.  NORTHERN  CORN. 

A.  Nitrogenous,  or  muscle  and  bone  food  ; B.  Carbonoids,  or  beat  and  fat  pro- 
ducers ; C.  Phosphates,  or  food  for  brain  and  nerves. 

§ 47.  Why  the  Bran  Should  Be  Preserved. 

The  bran  of  wheat  is  composed  mostly  of  an  indi- 
gestible woody  fibre,  and  constitutes  from  five  to  ten 


PRACTICAL  SUMMARY  OOXCERXIXU  FOOD. 


89 


per  cent,  of  tlie  whole  grain.  In  it  are  found  all  the 
iron  and  silicate  of  the  wheat.  By  a microscopic 
examination  of  the  excrement  of  horses  and  cattle, 
the  woody  fibre  of  the  bran  is  found  undigested ; 
but  the  silex  and  iron  leave  the  bran  in  the  process 
of  digestion,  and  this,  observes  Dr.  Bellows,  may  ex- 
plain why  horses  always  have  sound  teeth. 

Pale,  anemic  girls  crowd  our  streets.  A rosy  cheek 
is  a rarity.  The  iron  in  wheat  paints  the  glow,  and 
the  fresh,  “pinky”  complexion  depends  upon  the 
same  artist.  Chlorosis,  pale  faces,  and  dental  labor, 
hold  an  inverse  ratio  to  the  use  of  unbolted  wheat 
flour  and  good  brown  bread. 

Coxstipatiox  is  largely  overcome  by  the  use 
of  bran  in  bread.  It  is  a simple  and  efficacious 
agent  to  secure  a soluble  condition  of  the  bowels. 
Its  habitual  use  is  superior  to  all  the  cathartic  pills 
in  America.  When  the  bowels  are  irritable,  and 
diarrhoea  easily  provoked,  it  is  well  to  sift  the  bran 
from  the  wheat.  The  soluble  properties  of  the  bran 
render  Bran  Tea  a grateful  drink  in  summer  com- 
plaints, and  I have  met  people  who  had  great  faith 
in  its  curative  powers,  when  thus  employed. 


§ 48.  Practical  Summary  Concerning  Pood. 

Briefly  stated,  the  brain  and  other  nervous  struc- 
tures are  composed  largely  of  phosphorus,  soda,  and 
potassa,  readily  soluble  in  water.  These  exist  in 


90  dr.  eveeett’s  health  fragments. 

proportions  of  about  two  parts  in  one  hundred,  dur- 
ing middle  life.  The  muscles  contain  mostly  nitro- 
gen in  the  proportion  of  sixteen  to  the  hundred 
pounds,  or  sixteen  per  cent.  The  bones  are  rendered 
hard  by  phosphate  of  lime. 

To  form  cushions,  to  give  rotundity  and  symme- 
try of  form,  as  well  as  to  generate  force  and  preserve 
the  temperature  of  the  body,  a large  proportion  of 
the  daily  food  is  required. 

Apply  the  thermometer  to  your  arm-pit  in  Jan- 
uary, and  it  will  report  about  98°  F.  In  July  it 
will  tell  you  the  same  story.  If  the  temperature  be 
under  98°,  we  call  it  disease;  if  over  100°,  it  is  dis- 
ease; if  much  over  100°,  it  indicates  something 
fearful. 

Nature  preserves  the  temperature  of  the  human 
body  much  as  we  generate  heat  to  render  our  homes 
comfortable. 

In  winter  much  fuel  is  consumed;  in  summer 
much  less.  This  fuel  is  composed  largely  of  carbon. 
In  chemical  composition,  that  which  subserves  pur- 
poses of  combustion  and  preserves  the  temperature 
of  the  body  is  similar  to  what  we  burn  in  the  fur- 
nace, the  preponderating  substance  being  carbon. 
To  simplify  what  is  needed  for  heating,  and  rotund- 
ity of  the  body,  we  will  call  them  Carbonoids , by 
which  we  mean  articles  composed  largely  or  alto- 
gether of  fat,  starch,  and  sugar. 


FOOD  IK  ITS  KATURAL  STATE. 


91 


To  substances  needful  for  repairing  the  waste  of 
brain-structure,  we  shall  apply  Liebig’s  term  phos- 
phates ; and  we  may  safely  follow  the  same  author 
and  call  muscle-food  nitrogenous.  These  terms  will 
be  used  hereafter  to  designate  brain,  muscle,  and 
warming  food. 

§ 49.  Food  in  its  Natural  State. 

The  following  tables  have  been  carefully  prepared, 
and  will  be  a safe  guide,  for  all  practical  purposes. 
The  writer  is  aware  to  what  extent  exceptions  may 
be  taken  to  them ; but  he  trusts  the  generous  reader 
will  not  cavil  on  minor  matters  when  the  truths  con- 
tained are  so  important.  Until  results  in  organic 
chemistry  can  lie  attained  without  preliminary  in- 
cineration, they  can  only  approximate  perfection. 
At  present  it  is  clearly  a duty  to  make  the  best  of 
what  we  have,  and  wisely  wait  for  the  better 
thoughts  coming. 

ANALYSIS  OF  MAN. 

Chemists  exhibit  the  following  result  in  the  anal- 
ysis of  the  human  body..  Of  100  parts, 

Two  per  cent,  of  phosphorus  for  brain  and  nerve. 

Sixteen  per  cent,  of  nitrogen  for  muscle. 

Seventy  per  cent,  of  carbon  for  heat  and  fat. 

Food  should  contain  elements  bearing  a true  ratio 
to  the  chemical  constituents  of  the  human  body — 


92 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


modified  by  the  temperature  of  the  weather  and  the 
character  of  the  employment. 


ANALYSIS  OP  FOOD. 
Vegetables. 

Table  VIII. 


f 

PHOSPHORUS, 
FOR  BRAIN. 

NITROGEN, 
FOR  MUSCLE. 

CARBON,  FOR 
HEAT  & FAT. 

WASTE. 

WATER. 

Potatoes  .... 

1 

1 

16 

8 

74 

Sweet  potatoes. 

3 

2 

22 

6 

67 

Onions 

£ 

i 

5 

0 

94 

Cabbage  .... 

i 

1 

6 

J 

t 

92 

Asparagus  . . . 

i 

X 

5 

0 

94 

Cucumbers.  . . 

X 

2 

0 

2 

H 

93 

Fruits. 


Table  IX. 


PHOSPHORUS, 
FOR  BRAIN. 

NITROGEN, 
FOR  MUSCLE. 

CARBON,  FOR 
HEAT  & FAT. 

WASTE. 

WATER. 

Apples 

1 

2 

5 

10 

4 

80 

Pears 

£ 

4 

10 

4 

80 

Currants  .... 

i 

1 

7 

lOf 

81 

Cherries  .... 

i 

1 

21 

7 

70 

Figs 

2 

6 

58 

16 

18 

Prunes  

2 

4 

20 

9 

65 

ANALYSIS  OF  FOOD. 


93 


Miscellaneous. 
Table  X. 


PHOSPHORUS, 
FOR  BRAIN. 

NITROGEN, 
FOR-  MUSCLE. 

CARBON,  FOR 
HEAT  & FAT. 

WASTE. 

WATER. 

Human  milk  . 

i 

3 

7 

0 

894 

Cow’s  milk . . . 

i 

5 

8 

0 

86 

Cream 

0 

CO 

44- 

0 

92 

Butter 

0 

0 

100 

0 

00 

Lard 

0 

0 

100 

0 

00 

Cheese 

5 

30 

28 

0 

37 

Yolk  of  eggs.  . 

2 

17 

30 

0 

51 

White  of  eggs . 

3 

13 

00 

0 

84 

Chocolate.  . . . 

2 

9 

88 

1 

00 

Clam 

2 

12 

2 

0 

84 

Meats. 


Table  XI. 


PHOSPHORUS, 
FOR  BRAIN. 

NITROGEN, 
FOR  MUSCLE. 

CARBON,  FOR 
HEAT  & FAT. 

WASTE. 

WATER. 

Beef 

2 

19 

14 

0 

65 

Venison 

o 

O 

20 

8 

0 

69 

Mutton 

2 

21 

14 

0 

63 

Chicken 

3 

21 

2 

0 

74 

Pigeon 

3 

23 

2 

0 

72 

Bacon 

4 

OO 

62 

0 

29 

94 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

Fishes. 

Table  XII. 


PHOSPHORUS, 
FOR  BRAIN. 

NITROGEN, 
FOR  MUSCLE. 

CARBON,  FOR 
HEAT  & FAT. 

WASTE. 

WATER. 

Salmon 

7 

20 

1 

0 

72 

Smelt 

6 

17 

1 

0 

76 

Lobster 

5 

14 

0 

0 

81 

Herring 

5 

18 

4 

0 

73 

Halibut 

3 

18 

1 

0 

78 

Eel 

4 

17 

4 

0 

75 

Trout 

4 

17 

1 

0 

78 

Cod-fish  .... 

2 

17 

1 

0 

80 

White  fish  . . . 

3 

16 

10 

0 

71 

Oysters  ..... 

i 

12 

0 

0 

88 

Cereals  or  Grains. 


Table  XIII. 


PHOSPHORUS, 
FOR  BRAIN. 

NITROGEN, 
FOR  MUSCLE. 

CARBON,  FOR 
HEAT  <fc  FAT. 

WASTE. 

WATER. 

Wheat 

2 

15 

67 

4 

12 

%e 

2 

13 

73 

2 

10 

Barley 

4 

12 

52 

18 

14 

Oats 

3 

17 

51 

16 

13 

Beans  

4 

24 

40 

17 

15 

Peas 

3 

26 

41 

16 

14 

Northern  corn. 

1 

12 

68 

5 

14 

Southern  corn. 

4 

34 

40 

10 

12 

Buckwheat.  . . 

H 

8 

60 

20 

10£ 

Rice 

i 

H 

00 

3 

13 

OATMEAL  OR  SCOTCH  MEAL. 


95 


§ 50.  Oatmeal  or  Scotch  meal. 

A witty  Scotch  divine  was  “ bearded  ” by  an  Eng- 
lishman on  account  of  the  diet  of  his  countrymen. 

“Yes,”  replied  Chalmers,  “Scotch  men  and  Eng- 
lish horses  feed  on  oatmeal,  and  they  are  the  strong- 
est men  and  fleetest  horses  in  the  world.” 

Liebig  placed  oatmeal  alongside  the  choicest  Eng- 
lish beef.  The  famous  Professor  Forbes  tested  the 
size  and  strength  of  his  students  for  twenty  years. 
“ He  found  that,  in  height,  breadth  of  chest  and 
shoulders,  and  strength  of  arms  and  loins,”  the  Bel- 
gians ranked  lowest,  next  the  French,  then  the  Eng- 
lish ; but  above  them  all  were  the  Scotch  and  Scotch- 
Irish,  who,  as  children,  lived  largely  on  oatmeal  and 
milk.  During  the  Peninsular  War,  the  finest  men 
who  fought  under  Wellington  were  Highlandmen; 
and  they  for  years  preferred  their  kilt,  oatmeal  and- 
bagpipes,  to  the  whiskey  rations  of  the  common 
British  soldier.  These  Scotchmen  were  the  hardiest 
and  healthiest  of  those  who  contended  against  Na- 
poleon. 

The  Scotch  use  oatmeal  as  a staple  food.  They 
are  a tall,  hardy,  healthful  class,  and  in  metaphysical 
ability  and  size  of  brain  compare  favorably  with 
any  other  people  on  earth. 

The  memory  of  my  boyhood  is  filled  with  pictures 
of  beautiful  Scotch  girls  who  left  their  heather  and 
hillsides  to  cross  the  Atlantic.  Three  thousand  miles 


96 


* 

UK.  evekett’s  health  fragments. 

in  a slow  sailing  vessel,  witli  a long  journey  on  foot, 
did  not  increase  the  tidiness  of  their  appearance ; but 
I now  think  of  them  trudging  along  with  a bag  of  oat- 
meal on  one  shoulder,  and  a little  child  on  the  other. 
Stopping  by  a stream  they  would  mix  the  water  and 
the  meal,  and  drink  it  from  the  heel  of  their  slippers. 
The  product  of  our  fashionable  milliners  and  dress- 
makers would  deride  them ; but  for  the  clear  skin, 
bright  eyes,  rosy  cheeks,  strong  backs,  and  stout  limbs 
of  those  pretty  Scotch  girls,  she  could  afford  to  give 
ten  years  of  her  life,  and  then  die  a better  woman. 

§ 51.  Cornmeal  Compared  with  Oatmeal. 

Two  farmers,  in  the  presence  of  the  writer,  were 
discoursing  concerning:  food  for  horses.  One  claimed 
from  a large  experience,  that  the  cornmeal  was  supe- 
rior. The  other  as  warmly  favored  his  oatmeal  side 
of  the  cjuestion. 

Table  XIV. 

Composition  of  Dried  Oats. — Payen. 


Nitrogenous  matter 14.89 

Starch. 60.59 

Dextrin,  etc. 9.25 

Fatty  matter ......  5.50 

Cellulose 7.06 

Mineral  matter 3.25 


100.00 


CORNMEAL  COMPARED  WITH  OATMEAL. 


97 


Table  XV. 


Composition  of  Dried  Corn. — Payen. 


Nitrogen 

Starch.  

12.50 

67.55 

Dextrin,  etc 

4.00 

Fatty  matter 

8.80 

Cellulose 

5.90 

Mineral  matter 

1.25 

100.00 

It  is  hardly  a debatable  question.  The  food  for 
brain  and  nerves,  for  muscle  and  bone,  contained  in 
the  oats,  is  greatly  superior  to  that  possessed  by  the 
corn,  as  a comparison  of  the  tables  will  show.  For 
strength  and  endurance  two  pounds  of  oats  are 
about  equal  to  three  pounds  of  corn.  For  “ nerve,” 
ambition,  energy,  the  oats  are  threefold  superior. 
On  the  other  hand,  if  it  be  to  keep  the  horse  in 
good  condition  during  the  winter,  when  little  work 
is  required  of  it,  the  corn  is  to  be  preferred.  In 
other  words,  if  you  want  your  horse  to  be  smooth, 
fat,  and  lazy,  feed  him  corn ; if  you  want  for  him 
life,  speed,  strength,  feed  him  oats.  If  you  want 
him  to  “pull  in  the  breeching ,”  feed  him  corn ; if 
you  want  him  to  pull  in  the  bits,  feed  him  oats. 

In  childhood  the  oat  is  to  be  preferred  to  the 
cornmeal.  The  frame  is  shaped  and  proportioned 

during  youth.  That  the  seed  determines  the  char- 

7 


THE  YANKEE  UTILIZING  LIEBIG’S  IDEA  OF  PHOSPHATES,  BY  EDUCATING  A PIG  TO  PLAY  POKER.  (See  p.  86.) 


BEANS  YS.  RICE. 


99 


acter  of  the  crop  is  true  ; but  that  the  product 
may  be  greatly  varied  by  the  quality  of  the  soil 
from  which  its  nourishment  is  derived,  is  equally 
true. 

Nature  has  set  limits  to  the  frame  of  every  boy ; 
but  these  are  seldom  attained;  and  when  children 
are  raised  on  food  which  abounds  in  properties  of 
bone  and  muscle,  the  height,  breadth,  and  strength 
will  surpass  another  child  of  equal  natural  gifts,  but 
whose  food  contained  material  for  frame  in  insuffi- 
cient proportion.  The  men  who  were  raised  on 
white  flour,  cornmeal,  rice,  fats  and  sweets,  will  not 
only  be  less  healthy,  but  will  be  diminutive  in  size 
compared  with  the  boys  who  ate  oatmeal,  beans, 
peas,  etc.,  up  to  their  manhood. 

§ 52.  Beans  vs.  Rice. 

The  one  belongs  to  the  swamps  of  Florida  and 
the  plains  of  Asia ; the  other,  to  the  barren  hills  of 
New  England.  The  one  is  tropical,  easy  to  raise, 
lazy,  luxuriant,  sleepy ; the  other  is  identified  with 
a tall  and  hardy  race.  Rice  is  good  for  sleep,  idle- 
ness, peacefulness,  and  a vegetative  life.  Heroes 
have  little  of  it.  It  is  not  food  for  the  gods,  or  for 
the  best  men.  Beans  build  the  long  bones  of  Maine 
men,  and  are  a source  of  much  of  the  thrift,  industry, 
and  enterprise  peculiar  to  Yankee  character.  Rice 
contains  sufficient  brain  food  to  keep  the  one  who 


100 


du.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


eats  it  awake — but  little  more  than  that.  Beans  are 
loaded  with  brain  building  material. 

'Rice  gives  warmth  and  fat  and  comfort.  Beans 
bring  restiveness,  leanness,  and  disquietude.  Rice 
requires  one  hour  for 
'digestion.  Beans  re- 
quire three  or  four. 

The  swiftest  of 
Arabian  horses  em- 
ployed in  hunting 
ostriches,  are  fed  al- 
most exclusively  on 
camel’s  milk  and 
dried  beans.  The 
hardiest,  strongest, 
and  healthiest  men 
in  America  are  found 
among:  the  Maine 

lumbermen,  who  live  largely  on  beans. 

Table  XVI. 

Composition  of  Rice. — Letheby , 


Nitrogenous  matter 6.3 

Carbo-hydrates 79.5 

Fatty  matter 0.7 

Saline  matter 0.5 

Water 13.0 


NEW  ENGLANDER  FED  ON  BEANS,  AND  A CHI- 
NAMAN ON  RICE. 


100.0 


BEANS  YS.  RICE. 


101 


Compare  this  with  the  following  table,  which 
represents  the 

Table  XVII. 


Composition  of  Beans. — Payen. 


ENGLISH  BEAN. 

WINDSOR  BEAN  DRIED 

Nitrogenous  matter  . , 

. . . 30.8 

29.05 

Starch,  etc 

. . . 48.3 

55.85 

Cellulose  

. . . 3.0 

1.05 

Fatty  matter 

. . . 1.9 

2.00 

Saline  matter 

. . . 3.5 

3.65 

Water 

12.5 

8.40 

\ 

100.0 

100.0 

The  carbo-hydrates  and  fat  in  rice  are  over  eighty 


ARABIAN  OSTRICH  HUNT  WITH  BEAN-FED  HORSES. 


per  cent,  of  the  entire  grain — these  are  all  heat-pro- 
ducing ; while  in  beans  these  elements  are  deficient. 


102  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

For  brain  and  nerves  one  pound  of  beans  equals 
eight  pounds  of  rice. 

As  a muscle  feeder  one  pound  of  beans  equals  live 
pounds  of  rice. 

Because  rice  is  easy  of  digestion,  it  is  a good  food 
for  weak  stomachs  in  convalescent  conditions,  but 
should  not  be  used  alone  and  continuously,  as  it  so 
poorly  feeds  the  nervous  structure  that  neuralgia  or 
other  phase  of  nervous  debility  is  sure  to  follow. 

Beans  lack  Carbonoids,  and  require  to  be  cooked 
with  fat.  In  America  the  complement  is  pork ; but 
this  is  ill-cliosen,  from  the  scrofulous  condition  of  the 
swine,  and  because  it  increases  the  indigestability  of 
beans — fat  beef,  butter,  or  cream,  etc.,  are  preferable. 

One  of  the  best  cooks  I know  in  New  England 
considers  fat  beef  preferable  to  pork,  both  from  a 
sanitary  consideration  and  because  it  imparts  a bet- 
ter flavor  to  the  beans. 

§ 53.  How  long  should  Beans  be  Cooked  ? 

If  stewed,  never  less  than  six  hours,  and  if  baked, 
never  less  than  twelve. 

Thorough  cooking  improves  the  flavor,  and  so 
changes  the  woody  fibre  as  to  render  them  less  ir- 
ritating to  the  bowels. 

The  late  General  George  II.  Thomas  stated  to  a 
friend  of  the  writer,  that  to  effectually  reorganize 
the  American  army,  it  would  be  necessary  to  “ teach 


HOW  LONG  SHOULD  BEAKS  BE  COOKED  ? 108 

the  boys  how  to  cook  beans,  or  do  without  them.” 
He  referred  the  chronic  diarrhoea,  which  caused  a 
greater  number  of  deaths  than  all  the  battles  fought 
during  the  war,  to  partly  cooked  beans  and  strong 
coffee.  Others  there  were,  but  these  were  the  chief. 

Bad  water,  exhaustion  from  long  marches,  expo- 
sure, and  many  other  causes,  diminished  the  vitality ; 
but  the  bowel  irritant  was  found  in  half-cooked 
beans,  that  gave  direction  to  the  expression  of  the 
morbid  condition. 

A lady  in  Portland,  Maine,  of  rare  genius  in  pre- 
siding over  a household,  says,  “ she  never  allows 
beans  on  her  table  cooked  less  than  eleven  hours.” 

Soup  is  one  of  the  best  preparations  of  beans. 
Let  the  beans  be  soaked  over  night  if  you  would 
save  time ; but  in  no  case,  whether  the  beans  are  baked 
or  used  for  soup,  should  they  be  parboiled,  or  the  first 
water  poured  off.  The  parts  of  meat  or  vegetable 
which  nourish  brain  may  be  dissolved  in  cold  water, 
and  by  pouring  it  off  this  valuable'  part  is  lost. 

Beans  are  too  hearty  for  invalids,  and  should  be 
used  in  limited  quantities  by  persons  engaged  in 
sedentary  business.  They  are  best  adapted  to 
active,  out-door  employment. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


More  about  Food. 

§ 54.  Animal  and  Vegetable  Diet  Compared. 

E may  live  upon  either 
one  comfortably,  cheer- 
fully, and  enjoy  excellent 
health. 

Meats  are  more  stimu- 
lating than  grains,  and 
they  are  more  liable  to 
excite  the  emotions. 

A mother  recently  con- 
sulted the  writer  relative 
to  her  child.  It  was  rest- 
less, fretful,  peevish ; a 
source  of  great  discomfort  to  the  mother,  whose 
health  was  yielding  to  the  tax  imposed  by  the 
child’s  care.  Finding  the  child  to  be  a hearty  eater, 
and  wanted  only  meat,  the  mother  was  instructed  to 
confine  the  child  to  three  meals  each  day,  at  regular 
intervals,  and  of  an  exclusively  vegetable  and  milk 
diet. 

Two  weeks  afterwards  the  mother  said,  “My  child 


WHEST  HOLINESS  SHALL  BE,  ETC. 


105 


is  changed.  It  is  no  trouble  to  care  for  him.  His 
restless,  feverishness,  and  temper  seem  all  gone.” 

Meat-eating  nations  exhibit  more  passion,  anger, 
and  revenge,  while  the  people  who  subsist  upon 
vegetables  are  docile  and  avoid  war. 

In  olden  time,  those  whom  God  chose  as  Prophets 
and  Apostles , through  whom  the  sunlight  of  another 
world  was  sent  in  streams  to  earth,  as  a class,  lived 
on  fruits  and  grains.  These  seem  to  “ thin  the 
blood,”  and  increase  the  sensitive  capacity  of  the 
individual.  The  passional  and  impulsive  nature,  the 
pride,  and  temper  are  fostered  by  animal  diet,  while 
gentleness,  quietness,  and  self-control  may  be  encour- 
aged by  fruits  and  grains.  Thus  children  may  be 
fed  into  petulance  or  prayer.  Kot  a thought  or 
fancy  but  may  be  tempered  and  toned  by  the  food 
used.  If  we  ate  more  as  Christ  did,  we  could  walk 
more  with  him. 


§ 55.  When  “Holiness  shall  be  as  Common  as  Bells  on  the  Horses.” 

Blondin  educated  a minor  faculty  until,  suspended 
midway  between  heaven  and  earth,  he  won  the  gaze 
of  an  admiring  world. 

Multiply  that  by  a million  to  compute  the  possi- 
bility of  our  natures — when  all  people  are  fed  upon 
sparkling  phosphates ; when  the  law  of  diet  is  fully 
understood  and  obeyed;  when  every  limb  of  the 
body  and  every  faculty  of  the  soul  are  educated  to 


106 


de.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


their  greatest  perfection ; when  every  other  is  edu- 
cated as  was  that  one  faculty  in  Blondin,  we  shall 
approach  what  is  now  only  a dream  of  an  infinite 
perfection — when  we  are  faithful  to  the  whole  ques- 
tion of  physiology  and  its  application,  a new  era  shall 
have  commenced. 

We  shall  then  he  converted  not  alone  by  pulpit 
and  prayer ; but  we  shall  “ cast  out  devils  ” by  heal- 
ing disordered  stomachs,  and  human  nature  will  be 
represented  by  a being  so  much  better  than  ourselves 
that  his  whole  soul  will  be  attuned  to  the  angel’s 
morning  song,  and  “ Holiness  will  be  as  common  as 
bells  on  the  horses.” 

§ 56.  Animal  Pood. 

The  lean  and  fat  combine  all  the  elements  of  the 
human  body,  and  in  suitable  proportions.  The  car- 
bonaceous property  of  meat  is  composed  entirely  of 
fat ; and  in  vegetables  the  heaters  are  derived  from 
•starch,  sugar,  and  fats — ten  grains  of  fat  being 
equal  to  twenty-five  grains  of  starch. 

Meats  contain  about  three  times  the  water  of 
wheat,  and  they  are  about  equal  in  nutrition,  the 
concentrated  fats  giving  place  to  the  extra  water. 

Lean  meat  possesses  nitrogenous  and  phosphatic 
properties  in  about  the  same  proportion  as  beans 
and  peas.  Its  gelatine  is  carbonaceous,  but  capable 
of  little  or  no  digestion  ; though  it  gives  consistence 


BEEF. 


107 

to  soups,  and  promotes  regular  action  of  the 
bowels. 

When  the  muscle  of  meat  is  eaten,  it  should  be 
combined  with  potatoes,  white  flour,  or  other  articles 
that  will  supply  its  deficiency. 

§ 57.  Beef. 

Beef,  in  America  and  Great  Britain,  heads  the  list 
of  meats. 

Table  XVIII. 

Composition  of  Lean  Beef. — Letheby. 


Nitrogenous  matter 19.3 

Fat 3.6 

Saline  matter 5.1  • 

Water 72.0 


100.0 

Table  XIX. 

Composition  of  Fat  Beef. — Letheby. 


Nitrogenous  matter 14.8 

Fat 29.8 

Saline  matter 4.4 

Water 51.0 


100.0 

Beef  skillfully  prepared  is  easy  of  digestion,  and 
possesses  stimulating  properties  which  facilitate 
mental  labor. 


108 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


§58.  Mutton 


differs  but  little  from  beef  in  qualities  of  nourish- 
ment, but  is  less  in  favor,  on  account  of  its  flavor  and 
lack  of  equal  stimulating  properties.  It  is  more 
digestible  than  beef,  and  on  that  account  is  some- 
times preferred. 

Table  XX. 

Composition  of  Fat  Mutton. — Letheby. 


Nitrogenous  matter 12.4 

Fat 31.1 

Saline  matter „ 3.5 

Water 53.0 

100.0 


§ 59.  Veal. 

This  is  less  nutritious  and  more  difiicult  of  dmes- 

O 

tion  than  beef  or  mutton.  For  strength  and  power 
of  endurance,  workingmen  are  not  partial  to  veal. 


Table  XXI. 

Composition  of  Veal. — Letheby. 


Nitrogenous  matter 16.5 

Fat 15.8 

Saline  matter 4.7 

Water 63.0 


100.0 


§ 60.  Pork. 

Among  the  laboring  classes  of  Asia,  Europe,  and 


PORK. 


109 


America,  pork  is  an  almost  universal  article  of  diet. 
It  contains  less  nourishment  for  brain  and  muscle 
than  beef  or  mutton,  and  is  much  more  difficult  of 
digestion  than  either. 

On  account  of  its  diseased  condition  the  better 
educated  classes  of  all  countries  use  it  less  than  for- 


FISHING  AMONG  THE  ICEBERGS  FOR  SEALS,  WHICH  FURNISH  FAT  REQUIRED  IN  AN 
EXTREMELY  COLD  CLIMATE. 


merly.  It  is  a prolific  source  of  scrofula,  “bilious- 
ness,” and  dyspepsia ; and  of  late  years  has  become 
more  odious  on  account  of  the  Trichina  Spiralis,  or 
pork  parasite,  which  infests  its  flesh,  and  often  proves 
fatal  to  the  consumer. 

Lard  is  a filthy  grease,  and  unfit  for  cooking  pur- 
poses. 


110 


DR,  EVERETT  S HEALTH  FRAGMENTS, 


SCOTCH  IMMIGBANTS  WESTWABD  BOUND.  (See  p.  95.) 


WILD  GAME. 


Ill 


Table  XXII. 

Composition  of  Fat  Poke. — Letheby. 


Nitrogenous  matter 9.9 

Fat 48.9 

Saline  matter 2.3 

Water. 39.9 


100.0 

g 61.  Wild  Game. 

This  occupies  a first  rank  in  tlie  list  of  foods,  both 
on  account  of  its  wholesomeness  and  nourishing  pro- 
perties. Venison,  the  wild  pigeon,  and  the  pheasant 
are  probably  not  excelled  by  any  other  meat ; and 
most  wild  game  possesses  a flavor  which  commends 
it  to  the  epicure.  All  wild  birds  are  safe  food  for 
those  who  prefer  it ; though,  occasionally,  a bird 
may  be  poisonous  from  having  eaten  poisonous  ber- 
ries. 

The  reader  is  referred  to  the  general  list  of  foods 
in  table  (see  paragraph  49),  for  the  relative  value  of 
some  articles  of  game,  as  the  space  of  this  volume 
will  not  enable  us  to  discuss  this  subject  at  greater 
length.  Before  leaving  this  topic,  we  might  say,  the 
muscles  of  wild  animals  are  more  solid,  and  contain 
less  fat  than  are  found  among  the  domesticated,  the 
result,  doubtless,  of  their  greater  use. 

§ 62.  Fruits. 

In  botany,  seed  and  fruit  signify  the  same.  Our 


112  de.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

use  of  the  term  is  more  general,  and  applies  to  what 
is  common  table  dessert,  such  as  apples,  grapes,  ber- 
ries, etc.  Fruits  consist  of  the  seed  and  pericarp 
(derived  from  the  Greek  peri  and  Icarpos).  The 
latter  consists  of  epicarp,  endocarp,  and  mesocarp , or 
intermediate  substance  between  the  seed  and  the 
skin  or  outer  layer. 

The  sweetness  of  fruits  depend  upon  their 
starch  being  converted  into  sugar ; and  the  sour- 
ness  of  others  by  the  amount  of  free  acid  they  con- 
tain. 

Fruits  are  specially  adapted  to  the  demands  of  the 
system  in  summer  time,  and  are  a proper  substitute 
for  the  over  amount  of  fat  and  starch  required  dur- 
ing cold  weather.  Their  nutrient  properties  are  very 
limited;  but  they  counteract  the  effect  of  a concen- 
trated diet  of  meats  and  salt  fish. 

Fruits  are  also  valuable  in  cases  of  rheumatism 
and  gout,  when,  by  their  salts,  they  change  the  char- 
acter of  the  blood,  as  is  evident  from  the  urinary  de- 
posits following  their  use. 

Fruits  are  heartily  commended  to  “high  livers,” 
as  their  presence  is  less  obnoxious  than  the  same 
quantity  of  rich ei^ and  more  indigestible  food.  They 
are  “ blood  coolers,”  and  do  not  encourage  fevers  or 
inflammation. 

Unripe  fruity  creates  alimentary  disturbance,  from 
the  amount  of  acids  it  contains,  while  over-ripe  fruit 


OF  POTATOES. 


113 


is  liable  to  premature  decomposition,  and  thus  may 
derange  the  intestinal  canal,  or  its  functions. 

The  habit  of  preserving  fruit  in  an  equal  weight 
of  sugar  is  bad.  They  should  be  used  as  near  their 
natural  condition  as  practicable.  Some  kinds  are 
more  digestible  when  cooked. 


§ 63.  Figs  for  Constipation. 

Figs  grown  in  warm  climates  are  rich  and  luscious, 
containing  much  that  is  nutritious,  especially  of  sac- 
charine matter — the  best  are  Turkey  figs,  brought 
from  Smyrna.  In  cases  of  habitual  constipation  two 
or  three  figs  before  breakfast,  and  with  the  last  meal 
of  the  day,  are  generally  productive  of  the  best  re- 
sults. They  are  liable  to  derange  the  "stomach  and 
bowels  if  eaten  too  freely. 

§ 64.  Of  Potatoes — With  or  Without  Skins. 

The  potato  is  a prince  among  its  fellow  tubers 
and  roots.  It  is  a native  of  South  America,  brought 
thence  to  North  America,  and  was  carried  to  Eu- 
rope during  the  sixteenth  century,  but  not  exten- 
sively cultivated  in  England  until  two  hundred 
years  thereafter.  It  became  a favorite  product  in 
Ireland,  where  it  formed  a chief  source  of  suste- 
nance. 

Dr.  E.  Smith  says  an  Irishman  will  consume  ten 
and  a half  pounds  of  potatoes  daily,  or  three  and  a 
' 8 


114 


dr.  eveeett’s  health  fragments. 


half  pounds  at  each  meal.  These,  with  buttermilk, 
gave  to  the  Irish  people  an  efficient  and  economical 
diet. 

Table  XXIII. 

Composition  of  the  Potato. — Letheby. 


Nitrogenous  matter 2.1 

Starch,  etc 18.8 

Sugar 3.2 

Fat 0.2 

Saline  matter 0.7 

Water 75.0 


100.0 

The  casein  of  the  buttermilk  supplied  the  nitro- 
genous elements,  so  deficient  in  the  potato  as  to 
render  it,  alone,  an  unsuitable  diet.  Potatoes  sup- 
plement meat,  fish,  and  all  other  articles  rich  in  nitro- 
gen ; and  they  maintain  their  rank  in  the  diet  list 
not  only  because  they  are  wholesome,  but  also  be- 
cause they  do  not  fatigue  the  palate.  Only  the 
mealy  potato  is  readily  digested.  In  cooking,  the 
starch  granules  absorb  the  juice,  swell  and  sep- 
arate the  cell  walls,  when  the  pulp  assumes  a loose 
farinaceous  mass.  When  the  liquid  is  absorbed  only 
in  part,  the  cells  do  not  separate,  and  the  potato 
remains  firm,  watery,  and  indigestible. 

Dr.  Letheby  says,  “ Potatoes  are  best  cooked  in 
their  skins,  for  the  waste  is  then  only  three  per  cent., 


.ONIONS. 


115 


or  a half  ounce  to  the  pound,  whereas,  if  they  are 
peeled  first,  it  is  not  less  than  fourteen  per  cent.,  or 
from  two  to  three  ounces  to  the  pound.” 

§ 65.  Turnips. 

The  turnip  is  inferior  to  the  potato  as  an  article 
of  food.  It  is  properly  used  with  meats,  or  other 
concentrated  articles;  but  without  company  is  a 
feeble  stomach  companion. 

Table  XXIV. 

Composition  op  the  Tuknip. — Letlieby. 


Nitrogenous  matter 1.2 

Starch,  etc 5.1 

Sugar 2.1 

Salts 0.6 

Water 91.0 


100.0 

Carrots  and  parsnips  may  be  ranked  with  turnips, 
and  are  of  similar  dietetic  value. 

§ 66.  Onions. 

These  belong  to. the  lily  tribe,  but  in  this  utili- 
tarian age,  they  are  nipped  in  the  root  before  the 
blossom  appears.  Like  the  garlic  and  the  leek,  the 
onion  contains  a volatile,  acrid  oil,  which  is  an  irri- 
tant and  excitant.  The  odor  and  flavor  are  more 
pungent  in  onions  raised  in  colder  climates ; while 


116 


DR.  EVERETTS  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


those  of  southern  countries  are  milder,  and  therefore 
better  when  stewed  or  roasted. 

The  onion  is  chiefly  valuable  as  a flavoring  agent ; 
and  the  taste  of  one  will  sometimes  impart  a keen 
relish  to  beans,  which  without  it  would  have  been 
unpalatable. 

The  chief  objections  to  the  use  of  onions  are  their 
lack  of  nutrition,  and  the  offence  they  may  give  to 
others  after  you  have  eaten  them. 

§ 67.  Lettuce. 

This  is  an  agreeable  salad,  and  is  most  used  after 
nature’s  long  winter  nap,  when  all  greens  are  grate- 
fully received  by  the  system. 

As  a nutrient  it  is  comparatively  worthless,  being 
somewhat  like  the  sawdust  which  the  farmer  mixed 
with  meal  to  feed  his  growing  pigs,  “ it  doesn’t  fat, 
but  fills  up.” 

The  milk  of  the  mature  lettuce  possesses  sleep- 
producing  properties,  and  may  be  regarded  as  a mild 
form  of  opium.  From  it  is  manufactured  a medical 
agent  called  Lettuce  opium. 

§ 68.  Aristocracy  in  Food. 

Let  the  best  rule.  Oats,  wheat , beans,  beef,  fruits, 
fish,  and  game.  These  are  the  nobility  of  the  cook’s 
kingdom.  From  them  spring  strength,  grace,  good 
manners,  gentle  blood.  No  kitchen  is  complete  with- 
out them.  No  meal  perfect  and  those  absent. 


ARISTOCRACY  EN  FOOD. 


117 


Middle  class.  Potatoes,  salt  beef,  salt  fish,  pork, 
sausages,  onions,  squashes,  hash,  fried  potatoes,  fried 
eggs,  white  bread,  doughnuts,  griddle-cakes. 

Invalid  corps.  Pickles,  salads,  cake,  strong  tea 
and  coffee,  preserves,  rich  pastry. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


Condiments — Coffee  and  Tea. 

§ 69.  Condiments 

ARE  chiefly  appetizers.  Their  use 
is  mostly  the  result  of  habit. 
Those  who  never  use  them  never 
want  them.  To  crave  them  is  not 
natural.  Cloves,  pepper,  mustard, 
and  “ Halford  Sauce  ” retard  di- 
gestion and  produce  irritation  in  a 
stomach  unaccustomed  to  their  presence.  But  their 
use  has  become  a universal  custom,  and  they  require 
more  than  a passing  notice.  A good  dinner  is  more 
than  chemical  quality  and  quantity  which  represent 
the  demands  of  the  body.  It  must  be  comfortable, 
palatable,  cheerful.  The  more  innocent  condiments 
and  pleasant  conversation  hold  a similar  relation  to  a 
well-managed  table.  Granted,  in  the  abstract,  that 
we  may  bide  our  full  time  without  them,  that  we  may 
be  just  as  strong,  and  free  from  disease ; still,  he  who 
makes  my  food  more  inviting,  or  he  who  makes 
me  laugh,  helps  me  heavenward.  We  have  already 
too  many  straight- jacket  reformers.  I mean  those 
who  are  so  intensely  logical  that  they  severely  con- 
demn the  use  of  any  food  which  does  not  form  tissue 


IIOW  NOT  TO  ABUSE  CONDIMENTS. 


119 


or  furnisli  heat.  The  Health  Reform  has  been 
greatly  retarded  by  “ hobby  riders,”  who  are  sure 
to  dignify  their  hobbies  by  the  name  of  'principles. 

He  who  prefers  his  meat  or  bread  without  salt  or 
other  seasoning,  has  a right  to  use  them  thus ; but 
he  who  insists  that  a moderate  use  of  salt,  butter, 
plain  catsup,  or  weak  tea,  impairs  digestion  or  de- 
stroys health,  is  blind  to  the  facts  of  history,  igno- 
rant of  practical  experiments  on  the  changes  of  food 
in  the  stomach,  or  too  illogical  to  give  wise  or  safe 
counsel  on  the  philosophy  of  eating. 

§ 70.  Do  Condiments  do  Harm? 

Of  course  they  do.  What  does  not  harm  when 
abused?  Much  of  dyspepsia,  neuralgia,  irritability, 
and  sick  headache  is  chargeable  to  the  abuse  of  con- 
diments. 

The  writer  was  once  accosted  by  his  hostess  at 
table,  thus : 

Hostess.  “ Doctor,  what  will  you  have  ? ” 

Doctor.  “An  appetite,  madam.” 

The  good  woman  placed  before  me  a dish  of  horse- 
radish. A teaspoonful  would  have  brought  me  an 
appetite ; and  if  I had  used  it,  the  first  rule  of 
healthy  eating  would  have  been  violated.  It  is, 
Never  eat  unless  hungry. 

§ 71.  How  not  to  Abuse  Condiments. 

Condiments  may  be  used  to  season  or  flavor  diet 


120 


DR.  EVERETT  S HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


proper,  when  the  article  employed  is  so  innocent  in 
quality  or  limited  in  quantity,  as  not  to  irritate  the 
mucous  surface  over  which  it  passes,  or  otherwise 
interfere  with  the  structure  or  vital  action  of  the 
system.  Therefore  a limited  use  of  salt,  vinegar,  or 
aught  else,  which  yields  ouly  pleasure  to  the  sense 
of  taste,  is  harmless,  or  even  beneficial.  In  this 
category  do  properly  come  lemon,  caraway,  cinna- 
mon, salt,  etc.,  etc. 

§ 72.  Pickles 

have  been  subjected  to  wholesale  condemnation  by 
those  most  actively  engaged  in  health  reform.  As 
an  appetizer  they  usually  do  injury ; because  the 
gratification  of  hunger  secured  by  their  agency  does 
more  harm  than  good. 

The  cucumber,  cauliflower,  or  onion  pickles,  are 
indigestible,  and  irritable  to  the  stomach  and  bowels ; 
and  they  possess  no  nutrient  properties  worth'  men- 
tioning. 

Peaches,  apples,  and  beets,  when  pickled,  are  less 
objectionable ; but  even  these  are  preferable  with- 
out the  pickling  process. 

§ 73.  Pepper,  Cucumber  Pickles,  etc. 

While  it  is  proper  to  use  inoffensive  spices  to 
render  food  more  palatable,  it  should  never  be  for- 
gotten that  pepper,  cloves,  pepper-sauce,  capsicum, 
cucumber  pickles,  chow-chow,  and  all  the  more  pun- 


WHERE  WOMAN’S  WIT  GOES. 


121 


gent  condiments  are,  in  any  considerable  quantities, 
totally  incompatible  with  a healthy  taste  or  natural 
appetite.  Topers,  gluttons,  and  dyspeptics  seldom 
fail  to  patronize  them ; and  their  use  begets  those 
diseased  cravings  which  often  extend  to  the  use  of 
alcohol  and  habitual  drunkenness. 

As  nature  seasons  the  apple,  the  peach  or  the 
strawberry,  you  may  season  your  food ; but  it  is  not 
well  or  wise  to  encourage  the  use  of  spices,  which  in- 
flame the  stomach  and  establish  disease. 

§ 74.  Wine  in  Pudding  Sauce? 

No.  The  woman  who  flavors  her  sauce  or  pies 
with  alcohol,  whether  it  appears  as  wine  or  brandy,  is 
careless,  ignorant  or  corrupt.  Many 
a man  has  his  alcoholic  diathesis  fan- 
ned to  fury,  by  having  pampered  his 
false  love  for  pungent  flavors. 

-1  O WOMEN  MUST  BREAK  THE 

Mrs.  Stowe’s  bravest  character  in  wine-cup. 

“ My  wife  and  I,”  should  be  a warning  to  all  right- 
minded  hostesses. 

A conscience  that  does  not  consider  the  possible 
consequence  of  a wine-flavored  pudding  sauce  served 
to  husband,  sons  or  friends,  is  unsound  if  not 
criminal. 

§ 75.  Where  Woman’s  Wit  Goes. 

It  is  sharp;  it  may  bring  tears.  You  will  find  it 
in  the  pickle-bottle.  Woman  is  not  proud  of  her 


122 


de.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


bread  (honestly,  she  ouglit  not  to  be) ; she  boasts  not 
of  her  roast  or  her  steak ; but  she  has  paid  two  dol- 
lars for  a French  cook-book,  from  which  to  learn  how 
to  feed  the  first  six  inches  of  her  husband’s  alimen- 
tary canal.  To  feed  his  brain,  his  heart,  legs,  and  arms, 
she  never  thinks  of— but,  to  “have  it  taste  good!'1'1 
that’s  the  aim.  To  get  that  into  his  mouth  which 
would  make  him  crazy,  if  put  into  his  eye ; to  get 
into  his  stomach  that  which  would  blister  his  hand 
if  applied  to  it;  then,  to  make  him  “ smack  his  lips” 
and  call  it  good,  that  is  the  climax !— unless,  indeed, 
it  occurs  later,  when  he  has  progressed  from  the 
pickle-bottle  to  the  wine-bottle,  and  then  goes  home 
to  “ raise  the  Old  Boy.”  Many  a drunkard  is  made 
such  from  overspiced  food. 

§ 76.  Sick  Headache  and  Spices  and  Fifty  Dollars. 

“ Doctor,  I will  give  you  fifty  dollars  to  cure  my 
sick  headache,”  said  a robust  German,  at  a “ Table 
de  IloteP 

Doctor.  “ I will  cure  you,  and  effectually,  if  you 
will  allow  me  to  direct  your  eating  as  well  as  pre- 
scribe your  medicine.” 

German.  “ No,  doctor,  I tinks  my  stomach  knows 
better  what  is  good  for  me,  as  any  physician  does. 

Doctor.  “Well,  my  man,  you  should  let  your 
stomach  be  your  physician,  if  it  knows  more  than 
the  doctor.” 


SICK  HEADACHE  AND  SPICES. 


123 


A few  minutes  later  his  steak  appeared  covered 
with  onions,  and  fragrant  with  the  odor  of  pepper. 
He  took  five  articles  from  the  cruet-stand  and  coated 
one  side  of  the  meat,  then  turned  it  over  and  coated 
the  other  side  similarly.  As  he  cut  this  compound 
in  small  pieces,  his  eyes  become  lustrous,  and  his 
face  beamed  with  pleasant  anticipation,  reminding  one 
of  Byron, 
who  knew 
the  devil 
was  in  a 
similar  dish, 
but  was  sat- 
isfied to  go 
to  t o p h e t , 
for  the  priv- 
ilege of  eat- 
ing it. 

The  doc- 
tor might 
have  said  to 
this  man, 

“How,  good 

“my  stomach  knows  better  what  is  good  for  me  as  any 
fell  O W,  cut  DOCTOR  DOES.” 

that  meat  through  the  centre  and  put  one  half  on 
your  back,  and  if  it  don’t  draw  a blister  I will  give 
you  fifty  dollars.” 

To  what  extremes  are  people  led ! One  man  re- 


124 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


houses  oats  ok  corn.  (See  page  96). 


COFFEE,  ITS  CHARMS  AND  DANGERS.  125 

fuses  a grain  of  common  salt  on  his  meat,  or  to  render 
his  vegetables  more  palatable,  because  salt  is  “inor- 
ganic, and  therefore  cannot  be  converted  into  tissue,” 
though  this  same  salt  forms  a part  of  the  blood. 
The  other  insists  on  applying  to  the  stomach,  that 
which,  if  repeated  on  the  outer  skin,  would  convert  it 
into  something  resembling  rawhide.  In  structure,  the 
limns:  membrane  of  the  stomach  is  similar  to  the 
outer  skin,  only  more  sensitive.  Thus  irritated,  the 
stomach  becomes  the  seat  of  abnormal  desire  and  false 
appetites.  From  it  come  strange  voices  through  the 
night  in  “dreams”  and  “visions.”  People  never 
have  “ Nightmare ” who  allow  their  stomachs  to  rest 
while  they  themselves  sleep. 

§ 77.  Coffee,  its  Charms  and  Dangers. 

It  is  the  nectar  of  the  nineteenth  century.  Not  bet- 
ter was  given  to  the  old  heathen' gods.  Schiller  wrote 
under  its  influence,  and  died  middle-aged.  Beetho- 
ven drank  coffee  daily,  and  was  deaf  at  forty. 
Goethe  despised  it,  and  lived  beyond  eighty.  It 
seduces  millions  by  its  pleasant  intoxication.  Doc- 
tors hardly  reason  about  it.  They  drink  it,  and 
under  its  influence  they  talk  about  it  as  an  old 
friend ; and  then  they  advise  other  people  to  drink 
it  because  they  do.  Say  they,  “ ‘ It  makes  the  sol- 
dier brave,  gives  rest  to  the  weary,’  1 strength  to  the 
weak,’  ‘ thoughts  to  the  dull  brain,’  ‘ makes  sleepy 


126 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


people  wakeful,’  and  ‘ wakeful  people  sleepy.’  Last- 
ly, it  is  not  food,  but  it  takes  tlie  place  of  food,  and 
therefore  should  be  used.”  The  actual  amount  of 
nutriment  contained  in  three  cups  of  coffee,  as  pre- 
pared, is  too  trifling  to  speak  of ; but,  we  are  told, 
by  its  use  we  can  prevent  the  normal  waste  of  tissue , 
can  prevent  “ retrograde  metamorphosis  of  tissue.'1'1  So 
much  the  worse.  Waste  is  as  natural  as  repair. 
The  digestive  organs  are  means  through  which  blood 
is  elaborated  for  the  formation  of  tissue.  This  tissue 

lives  its  time  and  dies,  after 
which  it  is  carried  off  by 
means  of  emunctory  organs — 
by  the  skin,  kidneys,  etc.  A 
free  use  of  coffee  is  followed 
by  feeble  emunctation;  thus 
the  kidneys  yield  less  urea, 
which  is  a product  of  the 
death  of  nerve  tissue ; the 
skin  acts  less  efficiently ; the 
body  wastes  more  slowly. 
Then  the  wise  remark  is 
made,  “ its  use  may  be  con- 
tinued indefinitely  with  ad- 
vantage .”  This  is  a coffee 
course  of  reasoning — some- 
thing is  kept  back.  The  aver- 
age amount  of  urea  eliminated 

o 


1.  Dermis  ; 2.  Epidermis  ; 3.  Cu- 
ticle ; 4.  Soft  layer  ; E.  Adipose  and 
other  tissue  under  skin  ; 6.  Tactile 
papillae  ; 7.  Sweat  glands  ; 8.  Duct ; 
9.  Spiral  passage  of  the  latter;  10. 
Opening  of  the  sweat  glands. 


COFFEE,  ITS  CHARMS  AND  DANGERS.  127 

•in  twenty-four  hours,  is  about  five  hundred  grains. 
This  is  natural,  therefore  healthy.  Many  miles  of 
tubing  enter  into  the  composition  of  the  sweat 
glands,  through  which  a large  proportion  of  the 
product  of  destructive  assimilation  finds  egress. 
This  also  is  necessary  to  health.  Practically,  coffee 
by  its  effect  on  the  nervous  system  defeats  a natural 
and  physiological  process  of  blood  purification, — 
therefore  cannot  be  regarded  as  a health  agent. 

That  the  human  constitution  may  become  used  to 
coffee,  and  even  demand  its  continued  use,  as  it  does 
to  alcohol,  tobacco,  and  opium,  needs  no  argument 
to  prove.  But  instead  of  recommending  its  frequent 
use,  it  were  wiser  to  say,  coffee  is  not  properly  a 
food,  and  should  not  be  sought  to  nourish  and  form 
tissue ; but  it  may  be  used  in  great  moderation,  and 
add  much  to  the  enjoyment  of  life.  It  will  bridge 
over  moments  of  despondency,  cast  gleams  of  light 
into  dark  places,  and  give  cheer  to  a social  hour. 
Like  a little  song  or  a loving  friend,  not  necessary  to 
your  existence;  but  if  you  intelligently  use  them, 
they  are  means  of  growth  and  grace. 

A misuse  of  coffee  produces  “biliousness,”  nervous- 
ness, despondency,  headache,  neuralgia,  dyspepsia, 
etc.;  invalids  should  avoid  it  altogether.  Persons 
of  a highly  susceptible  organization  should  use  it 
seldom,  and  never  strong,  or  before  retiring.  Its 
common  use  in  America  is  greatly  to  be  regretted. 


128 


DR.  EVERETT  S HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


As  a rule,  the  conscience  and  common  sense  of  the 
old  coffee-drinker  is  so  adulterated  by  his  favorite 
beverage  that  he  refuses  to  see  clearly,  or  reason  cor- 
rectly with  himself.  Bulvver  was  not  far  wrong 
when  he  made  “habit  ten  times  stronger  than  na- 
ture.'1'1 

Parents  commit  a crime  against  their  children  when 

O 

they  allow  them  to  use  coffee. 

Table  XXV. 

Composition  of  Coffee — 100  Parts. 


Caffein 0.8 

Casein 13.0 

Gum  and  sugar 55.5 

Fat  and  oil  (volatile) 13.0 

Mineral  matter 6.7 

Caffei-tannic  and  caffeic-acids 5.0 

Woody  fibre 34.0 

Water 12.0 


Chemical  elements  of  caffein  are  identical  with  that 
of  tlieine : 

c8  H5  02  Na. 

The  “ coffee  complexion  ” is  too  well  known  to  re- 
quire comment. 

§ 78.  All  about  Tea. 

Health  reformers,  generally,  join  in  its  abuse. 
Strong  tea,  sharp  noses,  and  “ shattered  nerves  ” have 


ALL  ABOUT  TEA. 


129 


been  huddled  together.  A physician  came  to  its 
relief  recently,  by  showing  that  it  contained  four 
per  cent,  nitrogen,  and,  therefore,  nourished  the  inva- 
lid ; but  poor  tea  suffered  worse  for  having  found  a 
friend. 

Tablk  XXVI. 

Chemical  Composition  oe  Tea. 


Theine  . . . 

2 to  3 

Casein  . . . . 

15 

Gum 

18 

Sugar 

3 

Tannin . . . 

25 

Volatile  . . 

s 

Fat 

• 

4 

Fibre 

20 

Mineral.  . . 

5 

Water  . . . 

about  6 

100 

Chemically,  caffein  and  theine  are  identical. 

c8  h5  o2  n* 

As  a nutrient  it  is  comparatively  worthless.  It 
seems  an  infliction  to  give  a patient  a pound  of  tea 
and  a hogshead  of  water  for  nourishing  properties 
that  can  be  had  in  a small  beefsteak. 

Stimulating;,  warm  drinks  are  common  amon?  all 
civilized  races.  Of  these,  tea  is  the  most  used,  and, 
all  things  considered,  probably  the  most  harmless. 

9 


1.30 


dr.  eyerett's  health  fragments. 


Its  total  abandonment  is  unlooked  for,  and,  if  practi- 
cable, would  probably  be  unwise. 

Used  in  moderation,  it  is  a pleasant,  harmless  stim- 
ulant, not  necessary  to  life,  but  a source  of  comfort. 
It  exhilarates,  comforts,  and  takes  the  fringe  off 
those  moments  when  called  to  “ pass  under  the  rod.” 
As  a warm  drink  it  encourages  capillary  circulation ; 
and  when  you  use  it  you  will  be  less  liable  to  use 
what  is  worse.  It  should  be  taken  in  moderation, 
and  never  at  nUkt. 

O 

You  ask,  “ Does  it  not  destroy  the  nerve  tone, 
produce  dyspepsia,  neuralgia,”  etc.  ? Strong  tea  does 
this,  and  more,  often  producing  insanity ; so  yon 
may  poison  yourself  with  potatoes,  if  you  take  a suf- 
ficient quantity.  In  advanced  life,  one  cup  of  weak 
tea  at  a meal  may  be  used  without  ill-health  or  im- 
propriety. Among  children,  when  habits  are  form- 
ing, and  the  nervous  system  impressible,  its  use 
should  be  universally  discouraged.  For  them  u Cam- 
bric tea  ” is  as  palatable  and  more  healthy. 

Strong  tea  in  excess  produces  nervousness,  irrita- 
bility, despondency,  dyspepsia,  neuralgia,  and  insan- 
ity. Hence  the  rule  should  be,  weak  tea  or  total 
abstinence. 

§ 79.  Chocolate 

is  made  from  seeds  of  the  Cocoa-tree,  roasted,  de- 
prived of  husk,  sweetened,  flavored,  and  ground. 
This  boiled  in  milk  forms  a pleasant  warm  drink, 


COCOA. 


131 


#■ 


but  the  Theobromine  is  less  stimulating  than 
Theine  or  Caffein,  and  it  will  probably  never  become 
a general  substitute  for  tea  or  coffee.  This  is  the 
more  to  be  regretted,  as  the  ill-effects  following  its  use 
are  slight  compared  with  that  of  tea  or  coffee. 


§ 80.  Cocoa 


is  an  agreeable  drink  made  from  ground  cocoa-seeds 
mixed  with  starchy  matter ; its  flavor  is  more  delicate 
than  that  of  chocolate,  and  it  is  less  frequently  adul- 
terated. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Scientific  use  of  Physiology  at  Table. 

§ 81.  Who  Eats  Correctly  must  Think  Correctly. 


Wlien  they  learned  that  the  yolk  and  white  of  an 
egg  contained  not  the  elements  which  formed  the 
skeleton  of  the  chick,  they  sought  and  found  this 
reply, — The  yolk  contains  phosphorus  which  be- 
comes oxydized,  by  which  an  agent  is  formed  that 
successfully  attacks  the  lime  in  the  egg  shell : thus 
is  found  the  needed  jihosphate  of  lime  to  harden  the 
bones  of  the  chicken. 

Similar  questions  and  answers  must  tell  us  what 
the  brain  is,  and  how  to  feed  it.  How  muscle  and 
bones  are  composed,  and  where  the  material  may  be 


SUMMER  AND  WINTER  FOOD. 


133 


obtained.  Beyond  this  tbe  question  must  go.  Not 
only  wliat  is  tbe  composition  of  tbe  brain,  and  wbat 
will  build  it,  but,  wdien  tbe  mind  is  particularly 
taxed,  wbat  is  tbe  character  of  tbe  waste,  and  wbat 
kind  of  food  is  needed  to  repair  tbis  waste  ? Wbat 
constitutes  a muscle ; and  in  muscular  exercise  wbat 
tissue  is  specially  wasted,  and  bow  repaired  ? If 
pbospbate  of  lime  hardens  bones,  bow  shall  we  feed 
our  children  to  secure  for  them  towering  and  strong 
skeletons  \ 

Not  here  can  we  stop  our  inquiries.  We  must 
show  tbe  composition  of  each  article  of  diet, — its 
nutritious  capacity,  its  digestibility ; bow  it  can  be 
best  cooked,  and  when  it  should  be  eaten.  All  tbis 
is  but  tbe  beginning  of  a science  which  includes  food, 
body,  brain,  thought,  emotion,  disposition,  hope,  pa- 
tience, petulance,  prayer,  and  a long  list  of  other 
things,  upon  which  must  bang  tbe  life,  temperance, 
purity,  and  progress  of  tbe  race. 

§ 82.  Summer  Pood  in  Winter  is  Bad;  Winter  Pood  in  Summer  is 

Worse. 

We  must  consider  not  alone  tbe  elements  which 
compose  the  human  body,  or  the  preceding  divisions 
of  tissue  or  structure,  but  also  tbe  season  of  tbe 
year,  tbe  occupation,  tbe  time  employed,  etc. 

Tbe  teacher,  thinker  or  inventor,  by  mental  labor 
would  waste  largely  of  those  elements  which  com- 
pose the  brain  and  nervous  structure.  To  supply 


134 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


this  waste  the  food  employed  should  contain  largely, 
in  an  organized  condition,  phosphorus,  soda,  and 
potassa. 

On  the  other  hand,  where  the  muscular  structure 
was  mostly  employed,  the  food  should  contain  nitro- 
genous material  in  over  proportions. 

During  winter,  with  the  mercury  at  zero,  the 
human  system  requires  an  abundance  of  the  fats 
and  sugars,  from  which  heat  is  generated  to  resist 

the  cold  without ; while 
in  warm,  sum m e r 
months,  these  carbon- 
oids  would  be  a pro- 
lific source  of  disease. 

During  these  seasons 
nature  wisely  provides 
fruits  and  berries  in 
abundance,  which  gene- 
rate little  heat,  and  are, 
therefore,  poor  friends 
to  “ biliousness,”  fevers, 
and  inflammations. 

Our  great  fat  friend,  who  subsists  on  rich  meats 
and  gravies,  buckwheat  cakes  and  molasses,  butter 
and  cream,  the  year  round,  finds  himself  inconven- 
iently warm  during  the  “ dog  days.” 

On  the  other  hand,  his  neighbor,  who  abstains  from 
all  animal  food,  and  feeds  mostly  on  fruits  and  vege- 


THE  VICTIM  OF  A SUPER-CARBONACEOUS  DIET 


IN  HOT  WEATHER. 


FOOD  FOB  ONE  DAT. 


185 


tables,  labors  under  a serious  disadvantage  during  the 
winter  months ; as  food 
deficient  in  starch,  sugar 
and  fat,  fails  to  provide 
the  warmth  within  the 
body  which  enables  it 
to  resist  cold  without. 

Thus  we  find  a class  who 
appear  bloodless,  and 
shiver  with  the  first  fall 
wind,  from  the  continued 
use  of  a diet  deficient 
in  carbonaceous  proper- 

*■  ONE  WHO  DENIES  HIMSELF  HEATING  FOOD  MUST 

•£j0g  SUFFER  IN  COLD  WEATHER. 


§ 83.  Food  for  One  Day. 

Dr.  Dalton  says,  “From  experiments  performed 
while  living  on  an  exclusive  diet  of  bread,  meat,  fish 
and  butter,  with  coffee  and  water  for  drink,  we  have 
found  the  entire  quantity  of  food  required  during 
twenty-four  hours,  by  a man  in  full  health,  and  tak- 
ing free  exercise  in  open  air,  is  as  follows : 

Table  XXVII. 

Meat 16  ounces. 

Bread 19  “ 

Butter  or  fat 3i  “ 

Water 52  fluid  ounces. 


“ That  is  to  say,  rather  less  than  two  and  a half 
pounds  of  solid  food,  and  over  three  pints  of  water.” 


136 


db.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


Experiments  upon  prisoners  in  Scotch  prisons 
show  that  men  may  be  sustained  for  an  indefinite 
time  upon  less  than  one  and  a quarter  pounds  of 
solid  food  per  day,  with  water  added.  In  the  latter 
case  the  men  were  inactive ; and  the  waste  was  con- 
sequently less. 

In  the  above  table  the  food  used  is  concentrated. 
To  secure  nutrition  from  vegetables  it  would  require 
a larger  bulk  to  provide  the  same  muscle,  fattening 
or  brain  food.  Where  berries,  apples,  and  similar 
fruits  constituted  a fair  proportion  of  the  diet,  the 
bulk  would  require  to  be  increased. 

A reference  to  the  food  tables  in  this  book  will 
enable  the  reader  to  understand  the  increase  or 
decrease  in  quantity,  according  to  quality  of  food 
chosen.  The  same  man,  engaged  in  out-door  physi- 
cal exercise,  requires  a third  more  food  than  he 
would  confined  to  an  office,  or  other  sedentary  em- 
ployment. 

§ 84.  How  Often  shaft  we  Eat? 

Of  this,  experience  teaches  everything  and  nothing. 
One,  two,  three  or  many  meals  a day  are  taught  by 
names  equally  respectable. 

A notable  Health  teacher  said,  once  per  day ; and 
he  practiced  it.  In  one  year  he  gluttonized  himself 
into  dyspepsia,  when  he  exhibited  his  better  sense 
by  abandoning  his  theory  and  practice. 

Others,  with  better  judgment,  advanced  the  two 


HOW  OFTEN  SHALL  WE  EAT  \ lo7 

meal  system.  In  its- favor  may  be  said  it  lessens 
woman's  labor.  Do  you  wonder  her  many  friends 
are  slow  to  oppose  it  ? Our  poor  mothers,  wives 
and  sisters,  toiling  through  a long,  struggling  day, 
filled  with  a dead  routine  of  domestic  drudgery ! 
What  is  a sadder  sig/ht  than  a silent,  suffering 
woman,  bowed  down  with  a backdoad  of  trifles  all 
her  life  ? No  literary,  clerical,  political,  financial 


THE  AVERAGE  WOMAN’S  PROSPECTS  AND  PROPERTY, 

or  mechanical  prospect ; no  swift  rivers  or  snowy 
mountain  peaks,  or  sweet-toned  branches  or  dewy 
meads  ! Only  a low  sandy  desert,  with  scattered 
knives  and  forks,  wash  tubs  and  cradles  ! What  a 
toilsome  treadmill  is  the  life  of  more  than  three- 
fourths  the  women  of  the  world  ! If  to  drop  a meal 
from  the  day  gives  her  an  hour’s  rest  or  sunshine, 
do  you  object  \ Of  course,  these  things  should  not 


138 


dii.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


“ABNER'S  WATER  CERE”  IN  THE  “ VALLE'S  OF  JEHOSHAPHAT,”  WHERE  OUR  ARTIST  WENT  TO  INSPECT  THE  DIETETIC 


HOW  OFTEN  SHALL  WE  EAT  ? 


139 


be  so ; but  they  are , still  there  are  objections  to  the 
two-meal  plan. 

First.  Gluttony. — Its  advocates  are  the  most 
systematic  gormandizers  I have  ever  known.  In  the 
Water  Cures , where  invalids  congregate  to  improve 
their  conditions  by  simple  habits,  plain  living,  baths, 
and  alternating  exercise  with  rest,  the  two  meal  sys- 
tem very  generally  prevails.  The  quantity  of  food 
consumed  each  day  by  these  pale,  sickly  people  will 
average  considerably  more  than  the  same  number 
of  Maine  lumbermen  would  allow  for  daily  rations. 

Second.  Irregularity. — Your  meals  are  at  hours 
different  from  those  society  has  named  ; so  that  giv- 
ing or  receiving  invitations  to  dine  or  sup  with 
friends  involves  a violation  of  the  habits  of  either 
one  or  both  parties  to  the  entertainment,  those  who 
invite  or  are  invited,  and  the  law  of  regularity  is  set 
aside. 

Third.  The  happiest  hour  is  sacrificed  by 
omitting  the  old-fashioned  “ supper  meal .”  When 
the  day’s  work  is  done,  the  head  emptied  of  busi- 
ness, hopes  buoyant,  heart  full ; when  the  one  desire 
of  making  the  others  happy  actuates  each  member 
of  the  circle — this  evening  meal  is  the  benediction 
of  the  day. 

Life  is  so  full  of  friction  and  care  that  we  cannot 
afford  to  dispense  with  an  hour  so  free  from  all  that 
disturbs  and  chafes. 


140  DR.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

Spare  the  old-fashioned  “ supper  table  ! ” Ou  it 
place  food  and  flowers,  alternately ; and  make  these 
more  acceptable  by  the  sunshine  of  your  hearts  and 
imperturbable  good-nature.  Do  not  argue.  Do  not 
scold.  See  that  your  abundant  humor  hurts  no  one. 
Sanctify  the  occasion  by  feeling  and  giving  your 
best. 

§ 85.  Better  than  Two  or  Three  Meals. 

A proper  quantity  and  quality  of  food  eaten  at 
hours  so  the  stomach  shall  have  periods  of  labor  and 
of  rest. 

About  four  hours  are  required  to  digest  an  ordi- 
nary meal.  Breakfast  at  seven  o’clock,  will  be  di- 
gested at  eleven.  Now  give  your  stomach  an  hour’s 
rest.  Dinner  at  one— from  five  to  six  o’clock  the 
stomach  rests, — a light  supper,  soon  digested,  at  nine 
or  ten  o’clock  you  seek  your  couch  and  sleep  sweetly, 
while  your  stomach  rests  and  is  prepared  to  dispose 
of  a hearty  breakfast.  That  is  a syllabus  of  a daily 
Christian’s  diet. 

§ 86.  Irregular  Eating. 

You  slept  without  ventilation,  and  this  morning 
your  appetite  was  feeble, — a light  breakfast,  pieces 
during  the  forenoon,  dinner  with  a “ coming  appe- 
tite,” a lunch  during  the  afternoon,  a light  supper, 
with  something  to  satisfy  an  u all  gone  ” sensation 
before  we  retire.  Think  of  it ! By  introducing 
even  a nut  or  an  apple  into  your  stomach  during  the 


SMOKED  YANKEE. 


141 


forenoon  you  arrested  or  prolonged  digestion.  The 
stomach  having  worked  until  dinner  hour,  was  bur- 
dened by  an  afternoon  lunch,  and  had  not  a moment’s 
rest  until  bed-time,  when  you  refilled  it,  and  com- 
pelled it  to  toil  through  the  long  night,  only  to  re- 
peat the  direful  dose  to-morrow. 

Is  it  any  wonder  you  dream  of  ghosts  and  hob- 
goblins ? or  contend  with  “ nightmares  ? ” 

§ 87.  One  hundred  and  nineteen  Pounds  of  Smoked  “ Yankee.” 

A lean  specimen  of  the  “ stub  and  twist  ” Yankee 
several  years  ago  accosted  the  writer,  thus : 

“ Doctor,  I don’t  believe  in  your  rules  for  eating, 
or  causes  for  dyspepsia.  I weigh  one  hundred  and 
nineteen  pounds,  and  have  kept  hotel  for  seventeen 
years.  I eat  three  regular  meals,  apples,  nuts,  or 
crackers  between  meals  every  day,  and  before  I re- 
tire I take  a hearty  lunch  of  beans,  pie,  or  aught 
else.  I always  sleep  well ; and  when  I am  awake 
and  not  eating,  I chew  tobacco,  and  always  swallow 
the  saliva.”  He  told  me  this  at  forty.  Four  years 
afterwards  his  health  failed  him — his  weight  was  re- 
duced  nearly  twenty  pounds.  A more  miserable 
man  I have  never  met.  Unfit  for  business,  proud, 
yet  incapable  of  supporting  his  family  in  their 
former  position,  despondent  in  the  last  degree,  and 
every  hour  of  the  day  filled  with  suffering.  It 
seemed  as  though  this  little  smoked  specimen  was 


142 


DR.  EVERETT  S HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


first  employed  to  show  what  a human  frame  might 
endure,  and,  second,  to  teach  how  much  one  might 
suffer  and  still  live. 

“ The  mill  of  God  grinds  slow, 

But  oh,  how  fine  ! ” 

§ 88.  Feeding  Children  between  Meals. 

Mothers  feed  their  children  into  disease  from 
which  come  inharmonious  characters  and  wasted 
frames. 

She  who  feasts  her  child  between  meals  and  edu- 
cates the  stomach  into  dyspepsia  is,  in  the  sight  of 
heaven,  committing  a crime.  It  is  a poor  excuse  that 
in  her  fond  foolishness  she  covers  her  error  with  the 
idea  that  she  “ cannot  bear  to  hear  him  cry.”  There 
is  more  charity  in  saving  your  child  from  suffering 
than  stopping  his  tears  at  the  price  of  his  health. 

“ Taste  nothing  between  meals , not  even  a nut  or  an 
apple? 

§ 89.  Bolted  Food  and  Broken  Health. 

A mother  said  to  the  Writer,  “ My  son  has  not  al- 
lowed himself  more  than  two  and  a half  minutes  to 
dine  in  three  months.”  He  was  a pale,  nervous,  dys- 
peptic. He  had  not  time  to  eat  his  dinner  like  a 
Christian,  and  so  he  must  “ bolt  ” it  like  a turkey. 
Rapid  eaters  are  proverbially  gluttons.  Dinners 
eaten  in  three  minutes  usually  weigh  more  than 
those  meals  which  occupy  twenty.  It  would  be  a 


BOLTED  FOOD  AND  BROKEN  HEALTH. 


143 


profitable  invention  that  might  enable  a Wall  street 
broker  to  dispose  of  a reasonable  meal  in  two  and  a 
half  minutes.  To  him  time  and  money  are  every- 
thing, health  nothing.  Waking  or  sleeping,  the  one 
wish  is,  wealth  or  the  means  to  attain  it.  In  his  pre- 
mature and  near-by  old  age,  his  houses  and  lands  and 
ships  and  gold 
will  not  re- 
store his  shat- 
tered nerves  to 
health,  or  sti- 
fle the  cry  of 
a n outraged 
stomach.  His 
palsied  hand 
cannot  reach 

back  to  seize  A WALL  STREET  MAN  HAS  ONLY  THREE  MINTJTES  FOR  DINNER 
FINDS  HE  CAN  SAVE  THIRTY  SECONDS  BY  EMPLOYING  AN  EAT- 

tne  last  oppor-  eng  machine. 

tunity ; his  days  are  filled  with  misery,  and  his  nights 
are  only  a wild  requiem  of  rest  gone  forever. 

A half  hour’s  rest  after  a hearty  meal  is  an  econ- 
omy of  time  which  no  business  man  can  afford  to 
waste. 

Feed  two  hounds,  put  the  one  in  the  kennel, 
and  the  other  on  the  chase.  Two  hours  subse- 
quently, if  an  examination  occur,  it  will  be  found, 
that  the  hound  which  rested  shows  advanced  diges- 
tion, while  in  the  other  case,  the  food  is  hardly 


144 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


* 


changed  from  the  condition  in  which  it  entered  the 
stomach. 

In  the  one  case  the  vitality  was  employed  in  the 
stomach,  in  the  other  the  nose  and  heels  monopolized 
the  life  forces,  and  the  stomach  was  deprived  of  that 
power  needed  for  digestion.  The  same  rule  applies 
to  man.  After  eating,  rest,  lest  your  stomach  bear 
testimony  against  you. 


§ 90.  Eat  Slowly. 

This  you  must  do  for  enjoyment  or  health. 

Keep  your  food  where  you  can  enjoy  it;  that  is, 
only  in  the  mouth.  The  idea  of  bolting  a meal  to 
enjoy  it ! Have  you  ever  tried  perfect  mastication  ? 
If  not,  try  it.  Even  .dry  bread,  thoroughly  masti- 
cated, and  then  retained  in  the  mouth  to  tantalize 
and  coquet  with  the  gustatory  nerve,  provides  a rare 
comfort. 

Rapid  eating  is  a common  cause  of  dyspejisia. 
When  the  food  is  hurried  to  the  stomach  in  large 
pieces,  uncut,  and  unmixed  with  the  saliva,  the  di- 
gestion is  prolonged  and  difficult. 

Abundant  conversation,  and  absence  of  all  drinks 
while  eating  'are  two  means  of  our  curing  this  low 
habit. 

§ 91.  Eating  when  Tired 

is  directly  productive  of  dyspepsia.  Housekeepers, 
farmers,  students  and  teachers,  habitually  tax  their 
stomachs  when  body,  brain,  and  spinal  cord  are  in  a 


0 


WHEN  TO  EAT  THE  BEST  MEAL  ? 145 

fatigued  state.  From  tliis  cause  women  become 
neuralgic  and  dyspeptic ; farmers  find  themselves 
chained  to  old  coughs  and  “ liver  complaints,”  while 
business  and  professional  men  suffer  from  “ throat 
ail.”  The  stomach  is  as  sensitive  to  bodily  tone  as 
a barometer  to  atmospheric  conditions.  It  is  never 
less  weary  than  the  body.  A universal  habit  of 
sleeping  a half  hour  before  the  middle  and  after 
meal  of  each  day,  and  indigestion  would  soon  go  out 
of  fashion. 

A vast  amount  of  dyspesia  is  the  result  of  “ brain 
and  body  fag .” 

§ 92.  When  to  Eat  the  Best  Meal  ? 

In  the  morning,  when  the  body  is  fresh  from 
sleep,  and  the  stomach  rested  by  thirteen  hours’  fast- 
ing. The  brain,  which  furnishes  digestive  power, 
via  one  of  its  heaviest  nerves,  in  the  early  hours  of 
morning  possesses  its  maximun  of  force,  and  then 
best  supplies  the  stomach  with  vital  energy.  At 
this  happy  confluence  of  condition  and  circumstances, 
a man  may  lay  in  a judicious  store  of  bread,  meat, 
and  fruit  that  shall  furnish  a basis  for  the  next 
twenty-four  hours’  wear  and  tear.  It  should  be 
clone  leisurely  and  thankfully;  I say  thankfully , be- 
cause a grateful,  benign  frame  of  mind  is  conducive 
to  good  digestion. 

I knew  a wise  woman,  once,  who  always  sent  her 
child  from  the  table  unless  it  presented  a smiling 

10 


146 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


face.  She  deemed  it  bad  manners  to  sit  in  the  pres- 
ence of  others  with  a taciturn  countenance.  The 
lady  was  wiser  than  she  knew.  It  is  not  only  bad 
aesthetically,  to  carry  a frowning  visage  to  the  table, 
but  unphysiological.  How  natural  to  be  thankful 
in  the  morning.  lie  must  be  an  idiot,  or  a moral 
nonentity,  who  can  forget  that  his  safe  passage 
through  the  hours  of  darkness  is  scarce  less  than  a 
miracle.  Every  hour  after  the  day’s  work  fairly  be- 
gins, lessens  digestive  force,  for  the  reason  that  nerv- 
ous force  is  now  appropriated  to  work,  thought  and 
emotion.  Hence  six  p.  m.  dinners  are  unwise  or 
worse. 

§ 93.  Why  we  Dream. 

A clergyman  related  the  following  to  the  writer  : 
“ I eat  temperately  and  intelligently,  nothing  between 
meals ; and  my  ‘ tea  ’ is  light,  and  taken  at  least 
four  hours  before  I retire.  I have  not  the  ordinary 
symptoms  of  indigestion,  but  my  sleep  is  much  dis- 
turbed by  dreams .” 

Upon  inquiry,  I found  the  gentleman  always  read 
from  supper  until  bed  - time.  He  deprived  the 
stomach  of  vital  power  by  inviting  the  blood  to  the 
brain.  When  he  went  to  sleep,  nature  “ rolled  up 
her  sleeves  ” and  went  down  to  unload  the  stomach. 
In  the  act  she  created  a disturbance  which,  being  re- 
ported to  the  sensorium,  ended  in  a dream . 

Let  the  stomach  rest  after  eating,  even  lightly. 


WHAT  SHALL  WE  EAT? 


147 


A young  “ Hoosier  ” was  anxious  to  know  why  lie 
“ dreamed  about  his  great-grandfather  every  night.” 
It  had  been  his  custom  to  eat  mince-pie  before  he 
retired.  The  doctor  advised  him  to  add  beans  and 
bacon,  so  that  his  dreams  might  include  his  great- 
grandmother, and  some  hobgoblins,  that  he  might 
“ raise  the  devil  generally  ” through  the  night. 

§ 94.  What  shall  We  Eat  ? * 

is  an  ever-recurring  question,  growing  more  impor- 
tant as  people  become  more  intelligent. 

Even  medical  men  are  jioorly  prepared  to  give 
satisfactory  replies.  If  a physician  is  asked  how  a 
mother  may  supply  insufficiency  of  breast  milk  for 
her  child,  he  will  probably  advise  ale,  or  porter,  not- 
withstanding the  fact  that  chemistry  teaches  these 
contain  very  little  in  common  with  the  structure  of 
the  child’s  brain,  bone,  or  muscle.  The  best  medical 
institutions  in  our  land  teach  but  little  on  the  sub- 
ject of  diet ; and  few  graduates  can  prescribe  a 
judicious  diet  for  mother  or  child.  A recent  medical 
writer  in  this  city  insisted  on  the  absurdity  of  scien- 
tific feeding  as  applied  to  individuals,  claiming 
“ what  is  one’s  meat  is  another’s  poison,”  forgetful 
of  the  fact  that  he  was  asserting  an  ignorance,  and 
betraying  a want  of  culture,  which  any  educated 
man  should  be  ashamed  of. 

Vegetarians  deny  the  right  of  man  to  a meat 


148  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

diet.  Their  claim  is  a mere  abstraction,  unsustained 
by  science,  history  or  facts.  Granted  that  Dr.  Gra- 
ham and  Louis  Carnaro  enjoyed  good  health  to  ad- 
vanced years,  and  that  the  strong  boatmen  on  the 
Mediterranean  coast,  with  them,  ate  only  grains  and 
grapes  or  other  vegetables ; still  it  does  not  follow 
but  that  they  might  have  lived  even  longer  on  a 
mixed  or  meat  diet.  In  short,  they  only  prove  that 
life  may  be  well  sustained  upon  an  exclusively  vege- 
table diet.  This,  none  will  doubt. 

A second  class  claims  England  as  the  beef-eating 
nation  of  the  world ; and  she  excels-  in  qualities  of 
brain  and  back,  and  provides  the  athletes  of  the 
nineteenth  century.  This  only  proves  that  beef 
is  an  excellent  article  of  diet.  In  either  case  the 
conclusion  is  empirical,  resting  upon  experience , which 
makes  a score  of  fools  to  a single  philosplier. 

An  old  Dutch  lady  thought  she  had  cured  with 
cow’s  milk  five  hundred  children  with  measles.  An 
old  man  thinks  bacon  and  saur  hrcmt  the  most 
healthy  diet,  because  the  doctor  has  not  visited  his 
family  for  years.  A medical  expert  said  in  my  hear- 
ing recently,  that  oysters  were  preferable  for  a man 
whose  diet  was  limited  to  a single  article  (see  Table, 
§ 49).  Each  could  fortify  the  position  assumed,  by 
scores  of  facts.  Yet  each  conclusion  was  false,  and 
unsupported  by  science.  A Western  editor  endeav- 
ored to  secure  brain  for  his  child  by  feeding  oysters. 


149 


FOOD  THAT  “ TOUCHES  THE  SPOT.” 

If  he  had  persisted,  and  given  these  only,  his  child 
would  have  been  first  a fool,  and  then  a corpse. 
Oysters  are  easy  of  digestion,  when  properly  pre- 
pared for  use ; but  they  lack  elements  of  brain  struc- 
ture, and  are  deficient  in  that  which  preserves  the. 
warmth  needful  for  life. 

§ 95.  What  Not  to  Eat. 

First.  Eat  nothing  unless  you  are  hungry. 

Second.  Eat  nothing  unless  your  stomach  is  empty. 

Third.  Eat  no  fat  pork,  potatoes  fried  in  lard,  pie- 
crust, or  other  pastry  containing  lard  or  other  filthy 
grease ; cabbage  boiled  in  grease,  mince  pies,  pre- 
serves, sardines,  or  aught  else  - which  careful  obser- 
vation has  shown  to  be  indigestible  and  productive 
of  discomfort  or  dreams. 

§ 96.  Never  Eat  unless  You  are  Hungry. 

Never  invite  an  appetite.  Those  ladies  who  insist 
on  loading  your  plate  when  you  have  no  desire  for 
food,  perpetrate  untold  mischief. 

When  the  stomach  is  in  a condition  to  digest  food 
it  will  always  crave  it  ; and  oftentimes  it  calls  when 
it  is  incapable  of  digesting.  ■ 

§ 97.  Pood  that  “ Touches  the  Spot.” 

A discordant  laugh.  A merry  one.  A voice  filled 
with  music ; another  like  a cracked  pot.  A hand 
full  of  royal  feeling ; another  like  Uriah  Heep’s.  A 


150 


Dii.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


meal  which  you  relish  ; a second  as  juicy  as  chips ; 
a third  disgusts  you.  Do  you  wonder  why  ? Poor 
cooks,  dull,  stupid,  sleepy  cooks,  spoil  the  best  beef. 
Tis  not  the  food  alone,  but  the  manner  of  serving  it. 
^Esthetic  people  enjoy  a meal  as  much  with  the  eyes 
as  mouth.  A hog  will  eat  almost  anything.  So 
will  some  men.  Beware  how  you  prepare  food  for 
that  “ large-eyed,  dreamy  woman.”  Wound  her  eyes 
and  hunger  flies. 

No  hash ! No  pie-plant  in  strawberry  season  ! 
No  “ mux?  Only  a little,  tastefully  served.  Try 
and  find  out  what  she  would  like.  If  you  do,  you 
may  “ touch  the  spot.”  Ten  cents  of  what  she  rel- 
ishes goes  farther  than  two  dollars  of  what  she  does 
not. 

§ 98.  How  Long  to  Chew  a Mouthful  of  Bread. 

Presuming  you  are  well  bred,  and  not  hurried  to 
your  business  with  a vulgar  desire  to  cheat  some- 
body— about  thirty  seconds.  Try  it.  Always  re- 
membering the  most  genteel  people  are  seldom  in  a 
hurry. 

§ 99.  How  many  Kinds  of  Food  at  one  Meal  ? 

Better  few  than  many.  Many  dishes  invite  over- 
eating. Few  people  would  gluttonize  if  the  meal 
comprised  three  simple  dishes. 

Housekeepers  would  save  trouble,  time  and  ex- 
pense  by  an  elegant  preparation  of  three  or  four 
dishes  instead  of  the  many.  The  number  of  dishes 


SHALL  WE  EAT  PIE  \ 


151 


prepared  or  partaken  of  has,  however,  less  to  do 
with  proper  eating  than  a due  consideration  of  time, 
quality  and  quantity,  as  applied  to  a meal  or  month. 

§ 100.  Shall  we  Eat  Pie  ? 

Yes,  if  there  is  no  lard  in  it.  To  determine  the 
respectability  of  a 
pie,  you  must  study 
the  inside  as  well  as 
the  outside.  Study 
most  rich,  greasy 
pies  carefully,  and 
you  will  discover 
his  satanic  majesty, 
horns,  hoof  and  all. 

Iomorance  of  dietet- 

O 

ics  blinds  the  com- 
mon pastry-con- 
sumer. Taste  is  his 
super-active  special 
sense.  No  wonder 
the  dyspeptic  and 
health  reformer  join 
in  a crusade  against  them. 

Fat,  rich,  meat  pies  are  the  most  unwholesome  of 
foods.  Yet  may  we  never  outlive  the  good  old- 
fasioned  apple  pie,  pumpkin  pie,  or  the  squash. 

The  German  language  has  no  name  for  our  pie ; 
nor  has  he  who  speaks  it  our  dyspepsia.  “ Fritz  ” 


THEY  KNOW  NOT  WHAT  THEY  EAT  WITH  THE  PIE. 


152 


DR.  EVERETT  S HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


must  be  happy ; but  what  has  he  not  lost  by  having 
no  pie  ? 

§ 101.  Dessert  for  Dinner? 

Always.  The  choicest  . are  baked  apples  and 
cream.  Oranges,  pears,  grapes,  strawberries,  good 
humor,  sprightly  conversation  — talk,  can’t  you  \ 
Then  learn.  These  will  not  give  you  indigestion. 
Rich  pies  and  puddings  may. 

§ 102.  How  much  Money  for  Eating  Purposes  ? 

The  less  the  better,  so  the  body  be  fairly  nour- 
ished. 

A frugal  meal,  on  a handsomely  furnished  table, 
with  agreeable  companions,  is  preferable  to  prodi- 
gality ungracefully  dispensed. 

Charming  table  etiquette,  and  a few  exquisite 
dishes,  would  not  be  a bad  prescription  for  all  the 
“ erring  qualities  of  digestion.”  A friend  of  the 
writer  appropriates  two  dollars  per  week  for  each 
member  of  her  family.  Her  table  is  a model  in  ap- 
pearance and  attendance,  which,  coupled  with  a cer- 
tain indescribable  “ atmosphere  ” that  some  high-bred 
women  unconsciously  impart  to  all  about  them,” 
renders  each  meal  an  episode.  Her  dessert  of  baked 
apples  and  cream  is  superior  to  ordinary  plum  pud 
dings  and  mince  pies.  She  has  also  the  “ gift  of 
conversation.”  Ideas  are  the  choicest  ^ spices  and 
flavors  at  table.  Other  things  equal,  a conversa- 


HOW  MUCH  MONEY  FOR  EATING  PURPOSES  ? 153 


tional  hostess  can  set  a better  table  with  less  money 
than  she  of  the  single  syllable  order.  “ Brains  ” pay 
as  well  in  dining-room  and  kitchen  as  in  any  other 
department  of  labor. 

Among  Mr.  Vanderbilt’s  first  fortunate  invest- 
ment was  a wife,  who  saved  money  from  a wisely- 
ordered  table.  This  money  afterwards  enabled  him 
to  buy  a schooner. 

If  all  the  young  wives  of  our  mechanics  and  mer- 
chants were  to  imitate  Mrs.  V.,  we  might  yet  live  to 
see  a host  of  Vanderbilts.  There  is  nothin^'  more 

O 

discouraging  to  a young  mechanic  than  to  eat  three 
dollars  as  fast  as  he  earns  it— especially  if  he  be  not 
too  strong  in  health,  and  sees  a family  growing  up 
about  him. 

Every  shrewd,  far-sighted  woman  will  save  a little 
each  wqe\  no  matter  how  trivial  the  income.  By 
deftly  mixing  her  smiling  sweetness  and  simple 
dishes,  she  can  economize  and  rule  her  department. 
A lady  friend  of  ours  tried  it.  Three  months  of 
bean  soup,  brown  bread,  oat  meal,  fruits,  a baby 
that  never  cried,  husband  ten  pounds  heavier,  and  a 
plethoric  pocket-book  followed. 

Of  course  the  husband  “ grumbled  ” for  a few  days 
until  he  became  “ civilized.”  Two  charming  parlor 
pictures,  and  her  husband’s  refusal  to  return  to  the 
old  way,  was  the  result.  Not  he  who  earns , but  he 
who  saves  grows  rich. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Catarrh. 

§ 103.  Its  Causes  and  Cure. 

CATARRH  is  so  common,  and  its  vic- 
tims number  so  many,  that  it  demands 
more  than  a passing  notice. 

It  is  defined  by  the  French  physi- 
cians as  “ increased  secretion  from  a 
mucous  membrane.”  In  this  country 
the  term,  by  popular  consent,  is  ap- 
plied to  a “ cold  in  the  head  ” un- 
cured; or  inflammation  of  the  lining' 
membrane  of  the  nose  and  adjoining- 
passages. 

One  condition  of  inflammation  is 
heat,  which  dries  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  nose  ; therefore,  a first 
symptom  of  catarrh  is  a dry  nose. 

A red-haired  friend  of  my  boyhood  had  feet  too 
pretty  to  be  encased  in  overshoes ; and  each  winter 
morning  on  his  way  to  the  school-house  he  took 
cold.  In  his  seat  he  would  look  steady  and  sombre 
as  a deacon,  while  he  whistled  one  half  of  “ Yankee 


CATARRH,  ITS  CAUSES  AND  CURE. 


155 


Doodle  ” tlirougli  his  nose.  Our  teacher,  Burke,  re- 
garded Dan’s  nose  much  as  Mr.  Caxton  did  the  baby, 
wondering  that  “ so  little  a thing  could  make  so  big 
a noise.” 

Heat  also  relaxes  the  membrane ; then  follow 
watery  discharges.  These  become  more  consistent 


DAN”  WHISTLING  YANKEE  DOODLE  THROUGH 
HIS  NOSE. 

from  the  nose  to  the  ears,  cheek-bones,  frontal 
sinuses  and  throat,  then  the  voice-box  and  tubes  of 
the  lungs.  In  the  latter  case  we  call  it  bronchitis,  or 
catarrh  of  the  air-tubes  of  the  lunns. 

O 


and  profuse,  until 
finally  gathering  in 
quantities,  scabs  are 
formed  which  affect 
the  membrane  as  a 
poultice  would  the 
outer  skin.  If  this 
matter  remains  long 
it  rots  and  renders 
the  breath  offensive. 

If  this  inflamma- 
tion is  not  arrested 
it  invades  the  pas- 
sages which  lead 


104.  The  Nose. 


is  a double  organ ; hence  we  have  two  noses,  each 
divided  into  three  chambers  and  communicating  with 
passages  to  frontal  sinuses,  where  the  plates  of  the 


156 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


skull  are  doubled,  to  the  hollow  or  antrum  of  the 

cheek-bone,  and  with  the 
throat.  Three  of  these 
passages  are  double  and 
all  of  them  are  liable 
to  be  involved  in  nasal 
catarrh.  Hence  by  ca- 
tarrh we  often  mean  a 
prolonged  cold  in  the 
head,  with  pains  in  ear, 
throat,  or  jaw,  or  a disa- 
greeable fullness  of  the 
head,  and  a stuffed  sen- 
sation in  the  nose,  and 
many  other  symptoms 

INTERIOR  OF  NOSE  AND  ADJACENT  ETRCCTTTRE.  ^y|]  j(.p  ‘HU  fl’6C[Uent  Or 

constant  sources  of  annoyance,  if  not  distress. 


§ 105.  Symptoms  of  Nasal  Catarrh. 

These  vary  in  almost  every  case,  and  also  in  differ- 
ent stages  of  the  same  case.  They  embrace  dryness, 
and  itching  or  bleeding,  soreness  or  discharges  from 
the  nose ; burning  heat  and  pains  through  the  bones 
of  nose  and  forehead,  confused  thought,  watery  eyes, 
a “stuffed  sensation”  in  nose  and  throat,  hoarseness 
or  loss  of  voice,  profuse  discharges,  at  first  thin,  after- 
wards thick,  yellow  or  greenish,  sometimes  streaked 
with  blood. 

These  effusions  often  are  viscid  and  adhere  to  the 


CATARRH  TIIE  CAUSE  OF  DEAFNESS. 


157 


palate  or  nasal  structure,  producing  nausea,  hawking, 
coughing,  and  spitting,  especially  in  the  morning ; 
sometimes  these  accumulations  prevent  breathing- 
through  the  nose.  Catarrhal  patients  are  generally 
very  sensitive  to  exposure  to  drafts  of  cold  air,  which 
increase  the  discharges.  Partial  deafness,  increased 
with  renewed  cold,  noises  in  the  head,  and  offensive 
breath,  are  also  common  symptoms. 

§ 106.  Catarrh  the  Cause  of  Deafness. 

Loss  of  hearing  is  most  frequently  caused  by  this 


SECTION  OF  EAE. 

10.  Ear-Drum;  11.  Outer  Canal;  12.  Eustachian  Tube. 


disease ; probably  nine-tenths  of  all  causes  of  dimin- 
ished hearing  begin  in  nasal  catarrh.  These  are 
easily  determined,  because  the  deafness  is  increased 
by  a renewed  cold. 

The  structure  of  the  ear  may  be  seen  from  the  en- 
graving, which  represents  the  outer  ear,  its  middle 
chamber  and  the  cochlea,  or  “ snail  shell  ” in  which  is 


158 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


distributed  the  auditory  or  nerve  of  hearing.  The 
trumpet-shaped  tube,  called  Eustachian  tube,  extends 
from  the  middle  ear  to  the  nose ; and  any  inflamma- 
tion of  the  nasal  membrane  is  liable  to  traverse 
this  tube.  Thus  the  sense  of  hearing  becomes  in- 
volved  with  catarrh. 

In  treating  these  cases  of  partial  or  complete  deaf- 
ness, the  cause  must  be  removed.  The  writer  meets 
with  uniformly  good  results  by  treating  the  catarrh, 
and  not  interfering  directly  with  the  structure  of  the 
ear.  Specialists,  known  as  Aurists,  who  treat  only 
the  ear  rarely  meet  with  success.  It  is  folly,  or  worse, 
to  a]^ply  remedies  to  the  ear  when  the  cause  of  deaf- 
ness originates  and  continues  in  the  nose.  Not  long 
since  a gentleman  called  on  me  who  had  so  far  lost  his 
hearing,  that  it  was  difficult  to  talk  with  him;  and 
in  two  months  his  hearing  was  perfectly  restored. 

The  treatment  was  directed  to  his  catarrh.  No 
operation,  drops,  or  other  local  ear  application  would 
have  done  him  any  good.  I cannot  urge  this  too 
strongly,  because  so  many  are  duped  by  those  who 
presume  to  understand  and  treat  only  the  ear.  No 
physician  is  capable  of  treating  a fair  proportion  of 
cases  of  deafness  until  he  understands  and  can  cure 
catarrh. 

§ 107.  Bar  Discharges 

originate  in  an  inflamed  nose  and  throat,  generally 
following  scarlet  fever,  small-pox,  or  measles.  These 


WEEPING  EYES  AND  CATABEH. 


159 


cases  mostly  commence  in  childhood,  and  depend  for 
their  continuation  upon  a scrofulous  habit  of  body. 
.They  are  treated  with  success  by  carefully  regulating 
the  diet  and  general  habits  of  life,  by  astringent  in- 
jections in  the  ear,  preceded  by  use  of  syringe,  with 
a warm,  weak  solution  of  castile  soap  night  and 
morning,  and  by  changing  the  alterative  medicine 
each  week.  Ear  injections  should  always  be  fol- 
lowed by  an  insertion  of  cotton  for  several  hours ; 
otherwise  the  patient  may  take  cold  in  the  ear  and 
the  bad  symptoms  become  aggravated.  If  the  dis- 
charges are  not  arrested,  the  delicate  structure  of  the 
ear  will  be  wasted  by  ulcerative  inflammation,  and 
the  hearing  become  permanently  impaired.  The 
treatment  of  running  ear  is  in  bad  repute,  because 
the  hygienic  habits  of  the  patients  are  generally 
overlooked. 

Frecpaent  bathing,  a soluble  condition  of  the  bow- 
els, and  abstinence  from  pork,  grease,  and  eating  be- 
tween meals,  must  be  strictly  enjoined. 

Parents  cannot  be  too  severely  judged  who  allow 
the  running  ear  of  a child  to  go  uncared-for,  when 
timely  treatment  would  do  away  with  the  offense, 
and  save  the  hearing. 

§ 108.  Weeping  Eye  and  Catarrh. 

The  tears  are  secreted  by  a gland  located  near  the 
upper  and  outer  structure  of  the  eye-ball.  In  health 
they  first  lubricate  the  eye  and  then  pass  away 


160 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


through  a channel  which  connects  the  eye  with  the 
nose.  This  accompanying  engraving  illustrates  the 
structure  referred  to. 

The  inflammation  in  nasal  catarrh  extends  to  those 


tubes.  Thus  they  become  obstructed  so  the  tears 
cannot  follow  their  natural  course,  and  they  are 
forced  over  the  cheek.  This  is  an  extremely  uncom- 
fortable disease,  frequently  resulting  in  an  abscess, 
and  permanent  facial  deformity. 

TREATMENT  FOR  WEEPING  EYE. 

The  writer  has  never  examined  a case  of  “ weep- 
ing eye  ” that  was  not  complicated  with  catarrh  of 
the  nose,  except  a few  where  injury  from  burn  or 
bruise  provided  an  independent  and  exceptional 
cause. 

The  common  method  of  tubal  dilatation  by 
mechanical  means  is  not  only  unphilosophical,  but  it 
has  proved  the  most  unsatisfactory  branch  of  oph 


BAD  BKEATH. 


161 


thalmic  surgery.  Temporary  advantages  are  gained 
by  tbe  use  of  probes  or  tents ; and  in  very  rare  cases 
tbe  benefit  derived  is  permanent ; but  on  the  whole, 
eye  surgery  has  lost  many  friends  by  the  indiscrimi- 
nate use  of  this  common  method  of  treatment. 

In  the  early  stage  of  this  disease,  the  remedy  is 
most  effectual  when  confined  to  the  treatment  of 
nasal  catarrh.  This  will  be  explained  in  its  proper 
place  in  another  part  of  this  volume  ; and  to  it  the 
reader  is  referred. 


109.  Bad  Breath 


is  generally  the  result  of  catarrh  of  the  nose.  It  is 
one  of  the 
most  unpleas- 
ant symptoms, 
frequently 
rendering  its 
victims  unfit 
t o associate 
with  friends, 
and  unwel- 
come members 
of  any  assem- 

11  TTT1  A CASE  117  WHICH  A DISGUSTINGLY  BAD  BKEATH  POLLUTED 

b 1 y.  Y\  11011  AN  OMNIBUS. 

the  sense  of  smell  is  impaired,  people,  otherwise  re- 
spectable, often  compel  their  friends  to  submit  to  a 
nuisance  they  little  dream  of.  Catarrh;  with  bad 


11 


162 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


breath,  may  be  communicated  from  husband  to  wife 
or  children. 

Many  cases  are  infections,  and  where  they  are  not, 
loved  ones  may  be  alienated  by  a breath  which  pol- 
lutes and  poisons  the  air  that  others  are  compelled 
to  breathe.  Yet,  it  is  difficult  to  tell  a loved  one 
that  his  breath  is  very  offensive ; and  wives  some- 
times submit  to  this  loathsome  companionship  for 
years,  before  they  will  tell  their  husbands  how  dis- 
gusting. they  are. 


§ 110.  Uncomplicated  Catarrh. 

The  reader  will  understand  the  above  to  be  a mis- 
nomer. Catarrh  is  always  associated  with  dyspepsia, 
kidney,  skin,  or  bowel  complications,  or  specific 
poison  of  the  blood. 

An  energetic  business  man  sought  the  advice  of 
the  writer,  when  the  following  colloquy  occurred  : 
Patient.  “ Doctor,  my  friends  say  you  thoroughly 
understand  catarrh  ; and  I want  you  to  treat  mine.” 
Dr.  E.  “ How  is  your  general  health,  sir  ? ” 
Patient.  “ Excellent.  Nothing  in  the  world  ails 
me  but  catarrh.” 

Dr.  E.  “ How  is  your  appetite  ? ” 

Patient.  “ First  rate  ; my  stomach  is  all  right.  I 
came  to  see  you  about  my  catarrh" 

Dr.  E.  “ Do  you  belch  wind  ? ” 

Patient..  “ Yes;  I have  had  that  for  years;  but 


UN  COMPLICATED  CATABEH. 


163 


that’s  nothing.  I only  came  to  consult  you  about 
catarrh .” 

Dr.  E.  “ Do  you  perspire  readily  ? ” 

Patient.  “I  don’t  sweat  at  all;  have  not  for 
years.  Skin  is  dry  and  harsh,  hut  I don’t  care  for 
that.” 


Dr.  E.  “ Are  you  weak  across  the  hack,  sir  ? ” 
Patient.  “ Yes,  that  is  an  old  habit;  but  I don’t 
care  for  that.  It  is 
only  my  nose  / I soil 
a half-dozen  hand- 
kerchiefs every 
day.” 

Dr.  E.  “ Are  you 
constipated  \ ” 

Patient.  “Oh, yes! 
sometimes  go  a 
whole  week,  but 
that  doesn’t  trouble 
me.  If  you  will 
cure  my  catarrh , I 
will  stand  the  rest.” 

He  regarded  his  health  good  with  dyspepsia,  a 
dry  skin,  and  almost  every  other  functional  derange- 
ment which  produces  bad  blood  conditions ; and  de- 
voted his  anxiety  to  his  nose ; while  the  nasal  dis- 
charges were  a simple  result  of  the  conditions  obsti- 
nately overlooked.  Of  course  he  had  tried  every 


DOCTOR,  I SOIL  HALF  A DOZEN  HANDKERCHIEFS  EVERY 
DAY  WITH  MY  CATARRH.” 


164 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


snuff  and  “ wash  ” to  no  effect  but  to  sodden  and 
sour  bis  mind. 

§ 111.  Catarrh  a Blood  Disease. 

A perpetuation  of  catarrh  depends  entirely  upon 
the  condition  of  the  blood.  It  is  as  much  a blood 
disease  as  typhoid  fever,  which,  indeed  often  involves 
catarrh.  It  is  impossible  to  be  healthy  otherwise 
and  have  catarrh.  Call  it  a “ cold  in  the  head ; ” 
and  if  that  alone  ails  you — a few  days — a free  sweat, 
absence  of  food,  a soluble  condition  of  the  bowels, 
and  you  are  well. 

“ If,  then,”  you  ask,  “ the  continuation  of  catarrh 
depends,  upon  impure  blood,  why  is  not  mine  cured, 
since  I have  been  taking  blood  purifiers  ? ” 

The  so  - called  Blood  Purifiers  but  furnish  igno- 
rant people  an  opportunity  to  pay  “fool  tax.”  If 
your  impure  blood  is  caused  by  an  inactive  skin, 
you  need  a sweating-bath  and  frequent  change  of 
' clothing. 

If,  from  dyspepsia,  you  need  a proper  diet,  maybe, 
constructive  medical  treatment.  If,  from  scrofula, 
you  need  hygienic  and  medical  alterative  treatment, 
and  the  remedies  changed  every  week,  etc.,  etc. 

But,  irrespective  of  the  cause  of  your  impure  blood , 
you  have  used  “Vinegar  Bitters,”  or  some  equally 
vicious  advertised  nostrum ; and  then  you  wonder 
“ why  your  blood  is  not  pure  t ” The  fact  is,  you 
have  been  misled. 


DYSPEPTIC  CATARRH. 


165 


§ 112.  Scrofulous  Catarrh. 

Many  people  think  themselves  free  from  scrofula 
because  they  have  no  ulcers,  carbuncles,  running  ear, 
rotten  bones,  or  enlarged  glands,  while  these  are 
only  symptoms.  In  another  part  of  this  volume  it 
will  be  seen  that  scrofula  may  be  produced  by 
breathing  bad  air.  When  we  speak  of  scrofula,  we 
practically  mean  that  the  blood  lacks,  or  has  lost, 
some  constitutional  element. 

Catarrh  is  a most  frequent  expression  of  infantile 
scrofula.  Children  most  afflicted  by  it  have  dis- 
charges from  nose  or  head,  take  cold  easily,  and  are 
peculiarly  liable  to  lung  disease.  They  are  pale  and 
puny,  and  are  raised  with  difficulty,  if  at  all.  The 
glands  of  the  throat  are  liable  to  swell,  and  croup  is 
fond  of  such  children. 

§ 113.  Dyspeptic  Catarrh. 

So  called  when,  with  nasal  catarrh,  the  condition 
of  stomach,  or  other  digestive  organs,  is  such  that 
healthy  blood  cannot  be  made. 

Dyspepsia  or  indigestion  perpetuates  catarrh,  by 
establishing  unnatural  or  unhealthy  blood  conditions. 
By  unhealthy  blood  we  mean  that  which  lacks  essen- 
tial properties,  or  that  which  possesses  properties 
that  do  not  properly  belong  to  it.  In  cases  of  nasal 
catarrh  from  this  cause,  the  nose  becomes  the  point 
of  expression  for  diseased  conditions,  as  an  ulcer  else- 
where may  be  in  a case  of  scrofula. 


166 


DR.  EVERETTS  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


Weak  Back  and  Catarrh. 


A very  large  proportion  of  persons  wlio  sutler 
from  catarrh,  complain  of  a weak  back.  In  such 
cases  tlie  kidneys  fail  to  do  their  appointed  work ; 
the  blood  is  impure  in  consequence,  and  tlie  dis- 
charge from  the  nose  continued  or  increased. 

The  kidneys  should  separate  from  the  blood  five 
hundred  grains  of  urea  (which  is  the  ashes  of  the 
nervous  system),  in  twenty-four  hours.  This  done 
imperfectly,  or  in  part,  and  catarrhal  or  other  com- 
plications are  aggravated,  as  in  cases  of  rheumatism 
or  gout. 

Catarrh  and  Dry  Skin. 


MAGNIFIED  SECTION  OF  SKIN. 

10,  8,  7.  Sweat  glands;  5.  Subcu- 
taneous  and  fatty  tissue. 


The  skin  is  one  of  the  most 
important  blood-cleansing  or- 
gans. Many  miles  of  tub- 
ing, called  sweat  glands,  col- 
lect the  dead  tissue  from  the 
body  and  carry  it  away.  In 
this  manner  passes  off  more 
than  half  of  all  the  solid  and 
fluid  food  for  the  body.  When 
this  is  feebly  done,  or  only 
in  part,  the  other  emunctory 
organs  are  charged  with  its 
elimination ; and  if  there  be 
ulceration  in  the  nose,  or  on 
the  leg,  the  discharge  is  in- 


doctors’  treatment  of  catarrh. 


167 


creased.  Tlius,  we  see,  a common  cold  with  a dry 
skin  aggravates  an  ulcer  on  any  part  of  the  body  ; 
because  then  nature  will  use  a diseased  nose,  or  a 
sore  leg,  as  an  outlet  for  that  which  should  pass  off 
through  the  skin. 

CONSTIPATION 

results  in  impure  blood.  The  absorbing  capacity  of 
the  intestines  is  such  that  matter  which  should  be 
excrementitious  is  dissolved,  •carried  to  the  blood, 
and  this  foreign  or  “ impure  ” matter  must  find  some 
other  outlet.  This  may  be  through  skin,  kidney,  or 
nose  if  this  member  be  sensitive. 

§ 114.  Doctors’  Treatment  of  Catarrh. 

It  is  a notorious  fact  that  the  great  majority  of 
medical  graduates  have  only  a limited  understanding 
of  the  nature  of  catarrh  or  what  causes  it. 

Recently  the  writer  was  informed  of  a county 
medical  society  in  Michigan,  whose  members  dis- 
cussed the  question  of  catarrh,  during  a regular 
monthly  session,  and  decided  by  a unanimoils  vote 
that  it  was  a “ climatic  disease , and  incurable .” 

One  of  the  members  of  this  respectable  (?)  medical 
body,  said  to  the  writer  : 

Dr.  P.  “ Doctor,  what  success  do  you  meet  with 
in  treating  nasal  catarrh  ? ” 

Writer.  “ Uniformly  good,  sir.” 


168 


dr.  eveeett’s  health  fragments. 


Dr.  P.  “ I cannot  handle  it.  I believe  it  is  caused 
and  continued  by  our  climate.” 

Writer.  “ Then  why  is  it  that  everybody  who 
breathes  your  climate  does  not  have  it  ? ” 

Dr.  P.  “ I can’t  tell.” 


Writer,  “ Doctor,  how  do  you  feed  your  catarrh 
patients  ? ” 


Dr.  P.  “ I j>ay  no  attention  to  their  diet,  but  let 
them  eat  when  and  what  they  please.” 

Writer.  “ What  do  you  advise  in  such  cases  when 
the  skin  is  dry,  and  perspiration  very  limited  ? ” 

Dr.  P.  u I don’t  care  anything  about  the  skin  in 
catarrh  cases.” 

Writer.  “ Do  you  recognize  constipation  as  a fre- 
quent complication  ? ” 


HOW  NOT  TO  TREAT  CATARRH. 


169 


Dr.  P.  “ I see  no  relation  between  constipation 
and  catarrh.” 

Writer.  “ Doctor,  what  is  your  treatment  ? ” 

Dr.  P.  “ I medicate  the  nose  with  muffs , injec- 
tions and  washes ; indeed,  I have  tried  everything 
without  success.” 

Does  the  reader  wonder,  that  he  failed,  when 
catarrh  is  not  a disease , hut  a “ flag  of  distress  ” 
which  nature  has  hung  out,  saying,  there  is  some- 
thing wrong  within  ? 

When  this  condition  is  perpetuated  by  syphilitic, 
diptheritic,  or  other  special  blood  poison,  or  by 
scrofula  or  constipation,  there  is  more  required  than 
any  mere  local  treatment  to  effect  a cure. 

§ 115.  How  not  to  Treat  Catarrh. 

Nostrum  venders  advertise  remedies  for  two 
classes  of  disease.  One  class  is  incurable ; the  other 
embraces  those  diseases  imperfectly  understood,  or 
unsuccessfully  treated,  by  a majority  of  the  medical 
profession. 

Phthisis  pulmonalis  or  true  consumption,  in  its  ad- 
vanced stage  usually  belongs  to  the  first  class.  A 
small  abscess  may  occur  in  the  lung,  and  the  person 
not  die  from  it,  but  where  the  abscess  is  of  any  con- 
siderable size,  the  result  is  too  frequently  fatal. 
Every  city  in  the  land  is  placarded  with  “ Cures  for 
Consumption.” 

There  is  another  class,  curable  but  still  uncured. 


170  de.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

» 

To  this  belongs  catarrh.  Your  patent  medicine 
vender  offers  no  specific  for  measles,  small-pox,  or 
scarlet  fever,  for  these  are  successfully  treated ; but 
every  street-corner  is  infested  with  some  “ snuff  ” or 
other  nostrum  for  the  cure  of  catarrh. 

The  disease  is  extremely  common;  the  remedy 
sought  with  fervor,  faith,  and  money.  The  supply 
follows  the  demand,  and,  whether  cured  or  not,  the 
“ remedy  ” is  always  at  hand. 

“ Catarrh  Sxuff.”  It  never  cured  a single  case 
of  catarrh , and  never  will,  until  the  nature  of  the 
disease  is  changed.  This  is  not  only  true  of  catarrh 
snuffs,  but  all  other  mere  local  remedies , which  are  used 
to  produce  a mere  local  effect.  You  perhaps  have  a 
bad  cold  and  suffer;  you  use  some  snuff,  and  in  time 
you  are  better.  You  give  the  credit  to  the  snuff,  I, 
to  nature.  As  we  proceed  with  the  discussion  the 
reader  shall  see  why  catarrh  snuff  will  cure  all  cases 
that  would  get  well  without  any  special  treatment 
but  none  other. 

§ 116.  Treatment  of  Catarrh. 

Inquire  carefully  into  the  cause,  which,  being 
clearly  determined,  we  must  seek  to  remove. 

First.  By  rules  (see  Health  Rules,  in  another  part 
of  this  volume)  carefully  regulating  the  habits  of 
the  patient.  Proper  eating,  involving  time  when 
meals  are  taken,  quantity  and  quality  of  diet,  etc. 
This  is  a first  duty  of  the  physician  in  the  treatment 


TREATMENT  OF  CATARRH. 


171 


of  all  chronic  diseases,  and  particularly  in  ca- 
tarrh. 

Clothing  should  be  equally  distributed  over  the 
body,  and  the  feet  protected  with  thick-soled  boots. 
The  skin  kept  natural  by  bathing  two  or  more  times 
a week,  each  bath  followed  by  brisk  friction  with  a 
towel.  Constipation  overcome  by  the  use  of  oat-'’ 
meal,  unbolted  wheat  flour,  fruits,  and  if  need  be,  an 


DR.  EVERETT’S  FOUNTAIN  SYRINGE  AND  NASAL  DOUCHE 
FOR  TREATMENT  OF  CATARRH. 


occasional  cathartic.  In  case  of  special  poisons,  the 
vapor  or  Turkish  bath  is  of  the  utmost  importance. 

In  all  cases  the  treatment  is  more  rapidly  effectual 
by  judicious  medical  administration;  in  many,  this 
becomes  absolutely  necessary.  I cannot  give  you  a 
formula  adapted  to  even  a majority  of  cases;  for  that 
which  would  meet  the  demands  of  one  case  might  do 
no  good  in  another,  arising  from  a different  cause. 
Local  treatment  is  important  as  an  adjuvant,  but 


172  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

cannot  be  relied  upon  when  the  constitutional  treat- 
ment is  neglected.  This  is  best  accomplished  by  the 
Nasal  Syphon  or  Nasal  Douche  bottle,  which  will 
hold  at  least  one  and  a half  pints  of  liquid,  and 
should  be  used  each  night  and  morning.  For  com- 
mon use,  there  is  nothing  better  than  tepid  salted 
water. 

The  amount  of  salt  and  temperature  of  the  water 
may  be  properly  suited  to  the  comfort  of  the  patient ; 
and  by  inserting  the  end  of  the  tube  in  the  nostril, 
meantime  leaning  forward,  and  breathing  through 
the  mouth,  while  the  body  of  the  liquid  is  raised 
higher  than  the  head,  the  contents  of  the  bottle  will 
pass  in  a stream  over  the  internal  surface  of  both 
noses,  thoroughly  cleansing  the  membrane,  and  en- 
couraging healing  of  the  parts  diseased.  In  both  ap- 
plications, each  alternate  day,  a deodorizer  and  dis- 
infectant may  be  added  to  advantage.  The  selection 
of  what  is  best  for  each  case  properly  belongs  to  the 
physician  in  charge.  The  structure  of  the  nose  is 
such  that  snuffs  or  contents  of  syringes  cannot  be 
applied  to  but  a small  portion  of  the  diseased  surface, 
to  say  nothing  of  the  fact  that  the  disease  is  a gene- 
ral, and  not  a local  one. 

In  treating  catarrh  we  have  applied  the  same  prin- 
ciples that  we  would  iu  curing  an  ulcer  on  the  outer 
part  of  the  body ; and  there  is  no  doubt  that  every 
case  of  catarrh  may  be  cured  where  the  blood  condi- 


TREATMENT  OF  CATARRH. 


173 


tions  are  such  as  would  permit  us  to  treat  success- 
fully an  ulcer  ou  the  leg  or  arm. 

When  the  inflammation  has  advanced  so  that  the 
lining  membrane  of  the  throat,  voice-box,  or  bron- 
chial tubes  are  involved,  it  is  necessary  to  substitute 
an  inhaler  for  the  nasal 
douche.  In  the  treat- 
ment of  a case  they  are 
generally  combined 
with  great  advantage. 

The  engraving'  on  this 
page  represents  an  in- 
strument the  writer  has 
used  for  years  with  the 
best  results.  I would 
impress  upon  you  the  following  facts : 

First.  That  catarrh  is  a blood  disease , and  should 
be  treated  similarly  to  an  ulcerated  surface  on  any 
other  payt  of  the  body. 

Second.  That  all  “ snuffs  ” or  other  treatment  con- 
fined to  the  nose  alone  will  fail  in  every  case. 

Third.  That  catarrh  is  perfectly  curable  when  the 
treatment  includes  the  common-sense  involved  in  the 
foregoing  consideration  of  the  disease,  in  all  cases  se- 
curing proper  functional  conditions  for  the  body ; 
and  when  the  blood  is  tainted  by  scrofula,  or  a spe- 
cific poison,  it  must  be  restored  to  healthy  conditions 
before  the  nose  can  be  perfectly  cured. 


PIPfPNr 

INHALER  FOR  TREATMENT  OF  CATARRH,  THROAT- 
AIL,  ETC.,  ETC. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


§ 117.  False  or  Bronchial  Consumption. 

ELSEWHERE  tlie  writer  has  dis- 
cussed consumption  proper.  Akin 
to  it  is  another  wasting  disease,  de- 
pending upon  a slow,  progressive 
inflammation  of  the  lung  structure, 
beginning  with  the  mucous  mem- 
brane lining  the  air  passages. 

It  is  usually  the  successor  of  nasal  catarrh,  which 
the  reader  will  understand  is  inflammation  of  the 
nasal  membrane  and  associated  structures. 

If  the  inflammation  extends  to  the  back  part  of 
the  mouth,  we  call  it  pharyngitis ; if  to  the  voice- 
box,  it  is  called  laryngitis  ; if  to  the  bronchial  tubes, 
it  is  called  bronchitis.  These  tubes  are  the  “ wind- 
pipe ”•  continued  ; and  they  terminate  in  a cluster  of 
air-cells  similar  to  a bunch  of  grapes.  These  little 
cells  are  numbered  by  millions,  and  are  lined  by  a 
very  delicate  membrane. 

On  one  side  of  this  membrane  is  the  blood  from 
the  heart,  on  the  other  side  the  air  we  breathe.  It 
would  cover  an  area  of  about  one  twentieth  of  a 


SYMPTOMS  OF  FALSE  CONSUMPTION. 


175 


square  mile  if  stretched  out ; and  the  entire  surface 
should  he  fanned  by  every  inspiration.  It  is  very 
sensitive  to  noxious  gases,  and  through  it  stimulants 

and  narcotics  reach 
the  blood,  and  rapid- 
ly  impress  the 
nerves. 

This  membrane  is 
the  dangerous  seat 
of  the  disease  head- 
ing this  paragraph — 
Bronchial  consump- 
tion— a slow,  tedi- 
ous, lingering  mes- 
senger of  death, 
which  numbers  more 

VOICE-BOX  AND  AIR-TUBES  OF  THE  LUNGS,  WITH  THEIR  ...  , . 

TERMINAL  LOBULES  AND  AIR  CELLS.  VlCtlHlS  fcll&H  ltS  XW111 

that  commences  with  tubercles. 


§ 118.  Symptoms  of  False  Consumption. 

It  generally  commences  with  a “ cold  in  the  head,” 
sneezing,  hawking,  coughing,  spitting,  sore  throat, 
and  distress  across  the  chest.  As  the  cough  in- 
creases, the  sputum  changes  from  a watery  to  a 
glairy,  ropy  consistency.  This  becomes  thick,  yellow, 
viscid,  and,  in  later  stages,  often  streaked  with  blood. 
Sometimes  with  bronchial  haemorrhage  in  consider- 
able quantities.  The  disease  is  characterized  by 


176  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

spells  of  coughing,  generally  worse  in  the  morning, 
and  by  a gradual  loss  of  flesh.  Night  sweats,  consti- 
pation, with  periods  of  looseness  of  the  bowels , short- 
ness of  breath,  cold  feet,  and  general  debility  of 
mind  and  body.  A “ tired  feeling,”  and  occasional 
sensations  of  heat  in  hands  and  feet,  even  when 
their  touch  is  cold.  These  symptoms,  with  coughing 
and  sensitiveness  to  atmospheric  conditions,  continue 
until  time  wears  the  flagging  energies  out,  and  eter- 
nity summons  the  spirit  to  service  in  another  sphere. 

§ 119.  Progress  of  False  Consumption. 

Its  progress  is  capricious.  Now  galloping  its 
pretty  victim  to  the  grave  in  three  months.  Again, 
slowly  forging  the  chains  for  forty  years,  and  then 
giving  its  prize  to  “ bowel  complaint  ” or  cholera,  or 
some  other  innovator. 

When  the  inflammation  of  the  tubes  tends  to  a 
thickened  and  fibrous  condition,  with  a dry  hacking 
cough,  and  a rough  voice,  it  often  lasts  many  years 
before  it  proves  fatal.  This  is  contradistinguished 
from  the  tuberculous  consumption  largely  by  the 
external  sign  that  the  latter  disease  rarely  lasts  over 
eighteen  months,  while  the  former  may  continue  a 
quarter  of  a century. 

§ 120.  Complications  with  False  Consumption. 

It  is  rarely  or  never  a primary  disease.  Scrofula, 
dyspepsia,  constipation,  “ biliousness,”  loss  of  appe- 


C U B ABILITY  OF  FALSE  CONSUMPTION.  177 

tite,  bowel  derangements,  sexual  debility,  catarrh, 
and  wasted  nerve  force,  are  its  common  companions. 
It  frequently  follows  an  attack  of  typhoid  or  other 
fever.  In  short,  it  always  travels  in  companionship, 
and  never  alone. 

§ 121.  Curability  of  False  Consumption. 

In  this,  particularly,  does  it  differ  from  tubercu- 
lous consumption.  There  is  no  doubt  but  bronchial 
inflammation  often  leads  to  tuberculosis ; then  the 
same  principle  applies  to  its  treatment  that  would 
to  the  last  named. 

The  cure  of  false  consumption  is  simply  a question 
of  vitality.  If  the  complications  are  serious,  the  dis- 
ease may  be  fatal  from  the  outset ; but  in  ordinary 
cases  the  cure  is  easily  effected,  if  taken  in  time. 

Probably  forty-nine  out  of  fifty  cases  might  be 
cured  in  its  early  stages  ; while  the  latter  period  of 
the  disease,  with  bronchial  haemorrhage,  and  lost 
nutritive  power,  may  offer  little  or  no  hope. 

An  experienced  physician  can  generally  predict 
results  with  comparative  certainty.  This  of  course 
presupposes  a thorough  knowledge  of  physical  diag- 
nosis. 

The  writer  would  insist  upon  the  same  skill  here 
that  he  would  in  a case  of  true  tuberculosis,  for  a 
description  of  which  the  reader  is  referred  to  another 
part  of  this  volume. 


12 


178 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


Competent  physicians  seldom  err  in  diagnosing 
lung  disease. 

§ 1'22.  Treatment  of  False  Consumption. 

Here  we  must  asmin  introduce  our  old  friend 

O 

Nature , and  tell  you  the  old , old  story.  Recreation, 
rest,  respiration,  ventilation,  sunshine,  good  whole- 
some food,  pure  air  and  a pony.  Apply  the  rules 
we  have  carefully  written  for  the  “ treatment  of  con- 
sumption.” Taste  no  patent  medicines.  Go  to 
some  honest,  sensible  practitioner.  Let  him  guide 
your  treatment,  always  remembering  that  even  he  is 
little  to  you  unless  his  treatment  accords  with  the 
best  system  of  hygiene . 

If  he  tells  you  to  eat  what  you  like,  dismiss  him. 
If  he  permits  you  to  sleep  without  thorough  venti- 
lation, and  is  regardless  of  your  dress,  work,  expos- 
ure or  drink,  dismiss  him.  If  he  has  some  “ wonder- 
ful discovery,”  or  some  wonderful  drug  which  cures 
such  cases  as  yours  always,  dismiss  him.  If  he  tells 
you  all  drugs  are  “ poisons ,”  and  cannot  help  you, 
dismiss  him.  If  he  puts  you  on  a low  diet,  or  gives 
you  baths  which  take  your  strength  from  you,  and, 
waste  your  flesh,  dismiss  him.  If  he  tells  you 
“ water  cure  ” or  “ movement  cure,”  or  a “ Turkish 
bath,”  or  a humbugging  “ respirator  ” will  cure  you, 
do  not  employ  him. 

Remember,  and  your  life  may  tell  whether  you  do 


TEEATMENT  OF  FALSE  CONSUMPTION. 


179 


or  not,  the  most  learned  of  men  always  seek  to  sur- 
round you  with  every  appliance  nature  provides  for 
keeping  you  here  as  long  as  possible.  The  food 
that  feeds  and  the  wind  that  fans  you ; the  bath 
which  equalizes  the  circulation  and  removes  effete 
matter ; the  moisture  or  dryness  of  the  air  around 
you ; all  these,  and  much  more,  the  physician  uses 
first.  He  does  not  leave  the  directions  in  a general 
way,  but  specifically  prescribes  them,  and  then  adds 
proper  medical  treatment. 

Fools  believe  alone  in  drugs  and  “ doctors.”  Hy- 
gienic monomaniacs  see  no  difference  between  a drug 
and  the  devil.  A set  of  artful  dodgers  offer  you 
harmless  doses  of  moonshine,  and  ask  you  to  “ shut 
your  eyes  ” and  swallow.  The  elegant  Stille  would 
look  at  you,  question  you,  inquire  into  your  history, 
and  wisely  direct  your  every  habit  of  life,  more  care- 
fully, than  an  unskilled  physician  could.  If  your 
case  required,  he  would  give  constructive  tonics  to 
assist  your  digestion.  He  would  certainly  correct 
every  functional  derangement  as  far  as  possible  with 
medicine  and  hygiene,  and  I am  sure  he  would  give 
you  inhalations  to  be  used  several  times  daily. 
These  to  remove  the  cause  of  your  cough,  to  lessen 
the  sputa,  heal  the  inflamed  lung  surface,  and  ab- 
sorb the  effused  moisture. 

I am  also  sure  he  would  not  put  medicine  in  your 
stomach  to  secure  any  specific  effect  in  your  lung ; 


180 


DR.  EVERETTS  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


that  lie  would  give  you  uo  expectorants  with  opium, 
or  lobelia,  or  mineral  acids,  or  ipecac,  or  tartar-emetic 
to  derange  your  digestion,  or  interfere  with  your 
nutrition,  or  with  the  elimination  of  disintegrated 
tissue.  At  least,  the  above  indicates  the  exact  course 
the  writer  would  pursue  in  the  treatment  of  a case 
of  Bronchial  consumption. 

It  were  well  if  he  could  be  more  definite.  That 
he  could  give  rules,  and  recommend  remedies  adapted 

to  each  case.  But  this 
cannot  be  done.  It  is 
necessary  to  know  just 
what  should  be  done  be- 
fore you  do  it.  The  rules 
of  life  already  referred  to 
are  applicable  to  every 
case,  but  the  medical  or 
instrumental  appliance 
belongs  to  the  physician, 
There 

is  no  greater  bane  of  this  age  than  the  advertised 
specifics,  and  the  mountebanks  who  make  or  dis- 
pense them.  While  we  are  sure  that  public  edu- 
cation on  matters  of  health  is  second  to  no  other 
branch,  we  are  just  as  certain  that  a wise  adminis- 
tration of  medicine  belongs  to  the  thoroughly  edu- 
cated physician,  and  not  to  the  populace  or  the 
pretender. 


DR.  EVERETT’S  INHALER  FOR  TREATMENT  OF 

BRONCHIAL  CONSUMPTION.  £11  d 110116  Otliei’. 


ASTHMA. 


181 


Good  health  depends  upon  wise  living.  This 
should  every  one  feel  and  'know.  The  abuse  of 
drugs  belongs  to  the  quack  and  the  ranter.  The 
use  of  these  to  the  true  physician  and  none  other. 

§ 123.  Asthma. 

Many  suffer  from  it,  but  it  seldom  or  never  causes 
death,  directly. 

It  is  a nervous  disease  characterized  by  difficult 
breathing,  often  following  its  subject,  at  intervals,*' 
into  advanced  life.  It  was  once  characterized  by 
many  names,  such  as  dyspeptic  asthma,  congestive 
asthma,  etc.,  etc. ; but  Dr.  Salter  properly  observes, 

“ All  asthma  is  paroxysmal,  and  in  each  case  the 
source  of  the  disease  must  be  studied  to  direct  the 
means  of  relief  intelligently.”  It  is  caused  by  moist 
atmosphere  or  fog,  by  dyspepsia,  by  debilitated 
nerves,  hysteria,  etc. 

It  may  be  stated  here  that  most  asthmatics  are 
over-eaters.  Gluttony  is  a commonest  provocation 
of  the  attack.  In  these  cases  all  treatment  fails, 
unless  the  diet  of  the  patient  can  be  restricted.  This 
he  will  seldom  allow.  When  asthma  is  complicated 
with  bronchitis,  and  the  attack  preceded  by  a cold, 
cough,  or  sneezing,  the  case  can  generally  be  im- 
proved or  cured,  by  curing  the  catarrh  or  liability  to 
cold. 

Hat  Asthma  is  only  relieved  by  change  of  resi- 


182 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


dence  during  the  time  it  is  most  liable  to  occur.  It 
is  generally  relieved  by  going  to  the  sea-side  or 
mountains. 

Uncomplicated  Asthma  is  generally  incurable. 
Smoking  of  mullen  leaves,  tobacco,  stramonium,  or 
brown  paper,  sometimes  wards  off  the  attack. 

Treatment  by  inhalation  is,  by  all  means,  the  most 
effectual.  It  is  a very  treacherous  disease,  coming 
when  we  least  expect  it,  and  departing  without  a 
moment’s  warning;  sometimes  amenable  to  simple 
treatment,  at  other  times  yielding  to  no  device.  A 
teaspoonful  of  powder  composed  of  equal  parts  of 
white  rosin  and  loaf  sugar  at  times  furnishes  wonder- 
ful relief ; but  inhalation  is  worth  all  other  means 
combined. 

§ 124.  Throat  Diseases. 

These  are  largely  of  a catarrhal  nature,  except  in 
childhood,  when  scrofulous  complications  exist.  It  is 
not  only  the  pain  or  swelling  which  renders  them 
disagreeable ; but  the  hacking  cough,  hawking,  spit- 
ting, and  the  unmusical  character  of  the  voice,  ex- 
tending to  partial  or  even  complete  loss  of  voice,  that 
render  them  troublesome,  and  prompts  the  sufferer  to 
seek  relief.  In  this  class  may  be  included  “ minister’s 
sore-throat.”  The  latter  seldom  or  never  exists 
unless  the  stomach  is  deranged.  Dyspepsia  and  im- 
prudent use  of  voice  are  its  parents.  A branch  of 


THEOAT  DISEASES. 


183 


the  large  nerve  directed  to  the  stomach  is  distributed 
to  the  vocal  organs ; hence  this  intimate  relation. 

Our  space  does  not  admit  of  a full  discussion ; but 
under  the  “Treatment  of  Catarrh,”  the  reader  will 
find  directions  adapted  to  this  disease. 


CHAPTER  XII 

Air  : its  Relation  to  Health  and  Disease. 

§ 125.  Lung  Food. 


vapor.  This  we  call  pure  air.  Other  gases  or  sub- 
stances are  found  in  it,  generated  from  many  sources. 

Impure  air  is  produced  mostly  by  animal  and 
vegetable  decomposition.  This  may  be  from  heat  and 
moisture ; but  the  most  prolific  source  of  bad  air  de- 
pends upon  animal  expiration.  The  carbonic  acid 
thus  produced  is  a worst  enemy  to  health,  and  is 
met  most  frequently  in  our  bed  - chambers  and  un- 
ventilated sitting-rooms. 


HE  lungs  are  fed  by  air  as 
the  stomach  is  by  bread. 


The  atmosphere  is  com- 
posed of  oxygen  and  nitro- 
gen. Of  the  former,  there 
is  one  part ; of  nitrogen 
four  parts.  The  latter  is 
serviceable  only  to  dilute 
the  oxygen.  Added  to 
these  are  a trace  of  car- 
bonic acid,  and  more  or  less 


ON  BREATHING. 


185 


§ 126.  On  Breathing. 

We  breathe,  or  should  breathe,  twenty  times  every 
minute,  through  the  nose  and  not  the  mouth. 
Nature  has  stretched  across  the  nose,  or  the  external 
openings  to  it,  certain  hairs,  which  take  the  place  of 
strainers,  keeping  from  the  lungs  offensive  particles 
of  dust,  or  other  things  which  would  irritate  them, 
as  they  might  injure  the  eye  if  brought  in  contact 
with  its  delicate  mucous  membrane. 

The  lungs  are  simple  air-bladders,  lined  by  a 
membrane  so  delicate  it  is  called  structureless ; on 
one  side  of  this  membrane  is  air,  on  the  other  blood. 
Through  it  one  way  pass  elements  of  the  blood 
which  have  died,  and  in  the  opposite  direction  passes 
the  oxygen  of  the  air  in  the  lungs,  to  unite  with  the 
blood,  converting-  it  from  a dark  to  a bright  vermil- 
ion  color.  Oxygen  represents  the  entire  value  of 
common  air,  for  human  respiration.  Nitrogen  is  the 
vehicle  by  which  it  is  rendered  acceptable  to  the 
lungs. 

Air  is  valuable  in  proportion,  first,  to  the  amount 
of  oxygen  it  contains;  second,  to  the  absence  of 
deleterious  or  poisonous  matter  present.  Put  super- 
oxygenated  air  in  a bell-glass,  and  the  bird  which 
breathes  it  becomes  wild  and  dizzy,  lives  fast  and 
dies  soon. 

On  the  contrary,  a diminished  proportion  would 
soon  produce  dullness  and  stupidity.  This  rule  ap- 


186  dr.  eyerett’s  health  fragments. 

plies  equally  to  persons.  When  the  oxygen  in  a 
room  becomes  partially  exhausted,  the  people  are 
listless  and  sleepy,  as  much  from  the  absence  of  oxy- 
gen as  the  jjresence  of  carbonic  acid. 

§ 127.  Of  Bedrooms. 

We  breathe  twenty  times  per  minute,  and  require 
from  two  to  five  quarts  of  air  for  each  inspiration. 
Thus  ten  gallons,  at  least,  are  required  every  minute. 
Multiply  this  by  sixty,  and  again  by  the  number  of 
hours  in  a day,  and  you  will  find  each  person  needs 
a vast  amount  every  twenty-four  hours. 

Let  us  say,  one  hundred  for  the  day,  and,  there- 
fore, fifty  hogsheads  during  the  night ; or  with  ex- 
ceeding generosity,  call  it  twenty-five.  Then  with  a 
bedroom  as  large  as  twenty-five  hogsheads  the  air 
would  be  all  passed  to  the  lungs  during  the  night. 
But  before  we  can  inspire  two  quarts  of  air,  a similar 
quantity  of  impure  or  poisonous  air  must  be  ex- 
pelled ; thus  when  the  night  is  half  gone,  the  room 
would  contain  twelve  and  a half  hogsheads  of  im- 
pure air  mixed  with  the  same  quantity  of  yet  unused 
air  ; hence  the  whole  would  be  unfit  to  breathe. 

Still,  we  must  consider  that  bedrooms  are  built 
not  larger  than  ten  hogsheads,  and  that  not  one  per- 
son, but  three  or  four,  occupy  the  same  room.  Add 
to  this  the  fact  that  the  expired  air  is  loaded  with 
carbonic  acid,  and  organic  matter,  both  of  which  are 


OF  BEDROOMS. 


187 


very  poisonous ; then  only  can  we  have  a conception 
of  the  injury  to  health  from  insufficient  ventilation. 

One  pair  of  adult’s  lungs  throws  off  one  pound  of 
solid  carbon  in  twenty-four  hours.  This  is  exhaled 
as  carbonic  acid,  which 
you  may  readily  learn  by 
passing  air  from  the  lungs, 
with  a pipe-stem  or  tube, 
through  a small  bottle  of 
lime-water,  converting  it 
from  a transparent  to  a 
milky  fluid.  That  is,  the 
carbonic  acid  from  the 
tuna's  uniting  with  the 
lime  in  the  water  is  chang- 
ed into  carbonate  of  lime, 
or  “ whitewash.” 

“That  Coukter  Boy.” 

The  writer  was  recently 
called  to  the  bed-side  of 
an  invalid  lady.  The  bed- 
room was  nine  by  four-  oPEN  windows,  oatmeal,  and  exercise. 

teen  feet,  and  the  ceiling  less  than  ten  feet  from  the 
floor.  In  it  were  two  large  beds,  a “ trundle-bed,” 
and  a crib ; it  was  occupied  by  four  grown  persons, 
two  children,  and  a baby.  The  husband,  after  much 
thought,  discovered  the  source  of  his  wife’s  illness. 

“ I see  now,”  said  he,  “ that  Courter  boy  threw  a 


188 


dr.  everett’s  health  eragments. 

stone  and  broke  the  corner  from  that  pane  of  glass ; 
Susan  has  taken  a cold ; and  I have  a doctor’s  bill  to 
pay.” 

There  were  two  windows,  closed  and  curtained ; 
and  when,  in  the  providence  of  God,  a mischievous 
little  boy  had  broken  a window-pane,  so  that  a few 
stray  streaks  of  pure  air  should  reach  that  filthy 
room,  this  man  would  defeat  the  provision  by  clos- 
ing it. 

O 


“I  SEE  NOW,  THAT  COURTEB  BOY,”  ETC. 

These  people  had  pale  faces,  furred  tongues,  head- 
ache, and  irritable  dispositions.  They  had  no  appe- 
tite for  breakfast  and  so  invited  hunger  by  pepper, 
mustard,  pickles,  and  coffee.  Dyspepsia  was  a com- 
mon guest  in  that  household,  and  stood  by  them  a 
fixed  friend. 


IS  NIGHT  AIR  HEALTHY  ? 


189 


§ 128.  Carbonic  Acid  a Poison. 

This  is  generated  in  the  body  and  continually 
thrown  off.  If  not  speedily  removed  it  may  re-enter 
the  lungs  and  produce  disease  or  death. 

Air  containing  one  per  cent,  of  it  produces  head- 
ache. Six  per  cent,  is  dangerous  to  breathe.  Ten 
to  twelve  per  cent,  of  carbonic  acid  will  terminate 
life  in  a very  short  time.  Each  cubic  foot  of  air 
thrown  from  the  lungs  contains  seventy  cubic  inches 
of  carbonic  acid.  Each  cubic  foot  of  coal  gas  con. 
sumed  in  your  room  produces  two  cubic  feet  of  car- 
bonic acid. 

Burning  one  pint  of  oil  produces  about  twenty 
cubic  feet  of  carbonic  acid.  Burning  one  cubic  foot 
of  coal  gas  in  your  room,  you  consume  ten  feet  of 
oxygen.  Each  person,  by  exhaling  carbonic  acid, 
poisons  one  foot  of  air  every  minute. 

These  facts  clearly  show  the  unheal thfulness  of 
allowing  lamps  or  gas  to  burn  in  your  sleeping-room 
during  the  entire  night. 

§ 129.  Is  Night  Air  Healthy  ? 

Towards,  and  during  the  night,  in  miasmatic  dis- 
tricts, the  emanations  from  the  earth  are  productive 
of  fevers.  These  may  be  avoided  by  a gentle  fire  in 
the  room  at  sunset,  rendering  the  atmosphere  dry, 
and  destroying  the  cause  of  the  fever. 

The  atmosphere  in  darkness  is  less  vitalizing  than 


190  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

at  noon-day.  Foolish  prejudices  exist  against  the 
former.  It  is  all  we  have  from  sunset  to  sunrise ; 
and  the  simple  question  is,  “ Shall  we  have  it  pure  or 
poisoned  ? ” 

Goethe  would  wrap  himself  in  his  blanket  in  cold 
weather,  and  spend  the  nights  out-doors,  under  the 
trees.  Soldiers  preserve  better  health  without  than 
with  tents,  except  in  extremely  cold  or  wet  weather. 
Healthy,  strong  persons,  may  sleep  with  open  win- 
dows the  year  round.  Delicate  persons,  who  are 
sensitive  to  cold,  should  avoid  cold  currents  of  air 
both  night  and  day ; especially  at  night,  when  the 
vital  energies  are  lower  than  during  the  day.  In 
the  effort  to  avoid  “ night  air”  invalids  generally 
get  what  is  worse,  that  is,  air  poisoned  by  the  car- 
bonic acid  and  organic  matter  from  their  own  bodies. 
It  is  worse  than  folly  to  seek  out-door  life  at  water- 
ing places  for  health,  and  each  night  occupy  a small 
and  unventilated  bedroom.  The  nioht  more  than 

O 

neutralizes  the  day. 

§ 130.  Scrofula  from  Impure  Air. 

Dr.  Baudoloque,  an  eminent  French  physician,  says : 
“ The  repeated  respiration  of  the  same  atmosphere  is 
a primary  and  efficient  cause  of  scrofula.” 

“If  there  be  entirely  pure  air,  there  may  be  bad 
food,  bad  clothing,  and  want  of  personal  cleanliness, 
but  scrofulous  diseases  cannot  exist? 


AIR  IN  SICK  ROOMS. 


191 


“That  persons  may  live  in  the  most  healthy  coun- 
try, pass  the  greater  part  of  the  day  in  the  open  air, 
and  yet  become  scrofulous  because  of  sleeping  in  a 
confined  place  where  the  air  has  not  been  renewed. 

Young  rabbits,  born  of  healthy  parents,  develop 
scrofula  and  die  of  consumption  in  a few  weeks,  if 
fed  upon  heating  food  and  compelled  to  live  in  a place 
poorly  ventilated. 

Mothers  often  develop  scrofula  in  children  by  cov- 
ering their  cradles  and  otherwise  depriving  them  of 
pure  air. 

§ 131.  Air  in  Sick  Rooms 

Should  be  constantly  changing,  especially  in  acute 
diseases. 

In  scarlet  fever,  measles,  small-pox,  and  other  dis- 
eases characterized  by  increased  heat  of  body,  the  air 
is  rapidly  loaded  with  emanations  from  the  body, 
which  charge  the  surrounding  atmosphere  with  death. 
It  is  this  which  often  increases  the  severity  of  the 
disease ; and  then  follows  a slow  recovery  or  death. 

In  typhus  and  typhoid  fever,  by  keeping  the  pa- 
tients utterly  out-doors,  the  mortality  has  been  re- 
duced a half  or  more,  while  the  milder  forms  recover 
in  half  the  usual  time. 

To  control  a fever,  thorough  ventilation,  frequent 
bathing,  and  change  of  clothing  are  worth  tenfold 
more  than  all  that  medicines  can  do. 


192 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


How  Much  Air  do  We  Need? — -This  is  no  longer 
a question  of  doubt  or  controversy  among  physicians. 
Dr.  Parker  says,  after  many  experiments,  “ I have 
found  at  least  2,000  cubic  feet  of  air  per  hour  must 
be  given  to  keep  the  carbonic  acid  at  five  or  six  per 
1,000  volumes,  and  to  entirely  remove  the  smell  of 
organic  matter.” 

In  some  mining  districts  it  is  found  necessary  to 
give  6,000  feet  per  hour  to  each  man,  and  if  that 
amount  be  reduced,  the  work  performed  decreases. 

The  dullness  and  stupidity  of  children  in  schools 
depend  mostly  on  the  non-ventilation  of  the  rooms. 

Thus  only  can  we  explain  why  sensible  people  con- 
vert their  pews  into  sleeping  chambers  within  sound 
of  a brilliant  discourse. 

Change  of  Air. 

Air  should  move  at  the  rate  of  about  100  feet  to 
the  minute,  and  the  current  should  be  from  the  ceil- 
ing towards  the  floor. 

Carbonic  acid  and  organic  matter  are  both  heavier 
than  common  air ; hence,  from  the  mouth  they  tend 
to  the  feet.  In  miasmatic  districts  of  Italy  the  dog 
has  fallen  dead  at  the  feet  of  his  master,  while  the 
man  walked  along;  unharmed.  The  old-fashioned  fire- 

O 

places  were  health-agents,  by  affording  an  exit  for 
these  two  messengers  of  death. 

Churches  and  school-houses  are  seldom  well  venti- 


CHANGE  OF  AIR. 


193 


lated.  The  Chickering  Institute,  of  Cincinnati,  has 
an  excellent  system  of  ventilation ; and  the  health  of 
teachers,  as  well  as  the  intellectual  progress  of  the 
pupils,  attest  the  wisdom  of  the  founder,  who,  of  all 
men,  understands  the  value  of  pure  air  in  a school- 
room. 

Heald’s  Hygienic  Home,  on  the  banks  of  the  Bran- 
dywine, in  Delaware,  is  a model  in  the  way  of  ven- 
tilation. This,  among  other  wise  methods  adopted 
by  its  proprietors,  has  largely  contributed  to  its  popu- 
larity as  a home  for  invalids. 

We  allude  to  these  because  efficient  ventilation  is 
entirely  exceptional  in  the  public  institutions  of  this 
country. 


13 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


Consumption. 

§ 132.  Its  Hopefulness. 

JONSUMPTION,  any  year  of  tlie  last 
decade,  lias  dug  more  graves  tlian  scar- 
let fever,  small-pox,  and  cliolera  com- 
bined. More  than  one  hundred  thou- 
sand annually,  in  the  United  States 
alone.  Still  we  little  fear  it.  They 
who  have  it  will  not  believe  it ; and 
they  who  have  it  not  scarcely  can 
hear  its  muffled  footsteps  approach- 
ing. 

It  seems  strange  that  organic  dis- 
eases of  the  chest,  in  themselves  fa- 
tally effective,  should  so  closely  “ inter- 
marry hope  and  death.”  Stomach, 
and  liver,  and  intestinal  diseases  are 
canopied  by  dark,  clouds  ; from  them  we  die  a hun- 
dred times  in  fear,  and  only  once  in  fact.  Organic 
diseases  of  the  heart  and  lungs  are  perfectly  incur- 
able, while  the  victims  are  unconcerned. 

An  anxious  wife  brought  her  husband  to  my 


CONSUMPTION,  ITS  HOPEFULNESS.  195 

office.  His  heart  was  much  enlarged,  and  he  was 
liable  to  fall  dead  any  hour  of  the  day  ; yet  he  was 
totally  indifferent,  traded  in  patent  rights,  and  whis- 
tled the  “ Devil’s  Dream.” 

A pale,  beautiful,  brilliant  girl  gathers  the  flowers 
to  crown  her  upon  May-day,  and  gazes  with 
delight  on  the  false  rose  which  consumption  has 
painted  on  her  cheek ; but  she  fades  in  the  fall 

winds,  and  Christmas-day 
finds  her  chair  empty,  and 
her  mother  in  mourning. 

Decently,  a young,  pale 
man,  was  accosted  by  his 
brother : “ Henry,  suppose 
you  should  die,  what  dispo- 
sition would  you  have  made 
of  your  property  ? ” The 
question  had  been  asked  be- 
fore, and  he  replied,  half 
angrily,  £i  I am  not  going  to  die.  I am  going  to  get 
well.”  In  twenty-four  hours  he  was  in  his  coffin. 
A kind  Providence  cheered  him  to  the  last ; and 
while  fate  was  cutting  his  threads,  one  by  one,  he 
was  glowing  with  hope  of  the  near-by  summer,  and 
counting  days  and  joys  which  belonged  to  another 
world. 

Another  has  sallow  complexion,  deranged  func- 


196  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

tions  of  the  liver,  stomach,  and  bowels,  sleepless 
nights,  formless  fears,  business 
cares,  gloomy  future,  and  a 
comfortless  now ; yet  he  lives 
forty  years  to  hug  his  sorrow 
and  make  others  miserable.  We 
seldom  see  an  old  hypochon- 

below  the  waist. 

§ 133.  Aristocracy  of  Consumption. 

Consumption  is  eminently  an  aristocratic  disease. 
The  poor  widow  is  unable  to  clothe  her  children  well, 
and  they  run  out-doors,  breathe  pure  air,  and  make  a 


driac  die ; his  disease  is  mostly 


HYPOCHONDRIAC. 


THE  RUGGED  LAD  LAUGHS  AT 
CONSUMPTION. 


THIS  PAMPERED  BOY  OF  WEALTH 
MEETS  CONSUMPTION  HALF  WAY. 


t noise,  as  all  children  should.  They  are  rugged  and 
strong,  seldom  have  colds,  but  abound  in  mischief. 


ARISTOCRACY  OF  CONSUMPTION. 


197 


Another  mother  jealously  guards  her  pale-faced 
boy  from  wind  and  want.  He  is  pampered  with 
pretty  clothing,  and  pastry;  while  he  is  kept  in- 
doors, lest  the  wind  and  sun  should  prove  unfriendly. 
No  rugged  exercise ; no  stimulation  from  hunger  or 
privations.  So  he  is  called  away  and  the  mother  left 
alone. 

Out  on  the  frontier  a man  neglects  to  supply  the 
filling  for  space  between 
the  logs  of  his  dwelling; 
the  free  air  blows  through, 
and  consumption  passes  by. 

It  neglects  the  cabin  where 
a blanket  takes  the  place  of 
a door,  overlooks  the  hum- 
bler dwellings  of  the  poor, 
with  shattered  window, 
treads  the  marble  steps  and 
velvet  carpets  to  the  ele- 
gantly-furnished bed-room,  and  steals  the  darling  of 
the  household  away. 

Its  victims  are  those  we  can  least  afford  to  spare. 
They  illustrate  the  old  adage,  “ Whom  the  gods  love 
die  young.”  The  least  fitted  for  the  vicissitudes  of 
a struggling  life,  the  best  fitted  for  heaven.  Tenny- 
son’s “ May  Queen  ” is  typical  of  this  class  ; and  few 
of  us  but  have  seen  her  counterpart.  She  smiles  over 
her  hectic  cheek  while  the  nails  are  being  noiselessly 
driven  in  her  coffin. 


198  dr.  Everett's  health  fragments. 

Red-cheeked  Bridget  is  in  no  danger,  while  the 
bright  boys  of  eight  and  twelve,  who  seek  conversa- 
tion with  men  and  talk  and  think  beyond  their  years, 
are  not  overlooked. 

§ 134.  Consumptive  Farewell. 

It  comes  with  this  disease  not  always,  but  often. 
Most  cases  are  curable  if  taken  in  time ; but  most  are 
not  taken  in  time.  The  hope  which  crowns  its 
morning  whispers  delay  until  the  afternoon  ; then  it 
is  too  late. 

“Farewell!’’  “Farewell!”  These  are  golden 
words  in  the  early  sunset  hour,  from  fading,  ruby 
lips,  encircled  by  a pale  face  set  with  roses — words 
sweetly  said— Death  is  robbed  of  its  sting,  and  Life 
immortal  is  fringed  with  promises  of  the  beautiful 
now  and  happy  hereafter. 

More  and  more  she  leans  on  her  physician.  Who 
that  ever  led  a pale  immortal  to  the  river  side,  has 
not  thanked  God  for  the  hope  planted  in  her  soul 
for  these  trying  moments  ? 

After  all,  death  is  not  so  terrible ! It  is  but 
another  baptism,  wherein  the  young  mother  wades 
into  the  stream  and  falls  asleep,  to  wake  in  the  lov- 
ing arms  which  await  her  on  the  other  side.  The 
thin  curtain  is  drawn  aside,  we  get  a glimpse  into 
Heaven,  and  she  has  gone  on. 

That  is  all — until  we  meet  the  beautiful  forever. 


PHTHISIS  A BLOOD  DISEASE. 


199 


§ 135.  Phthisis  a Blood  Disease. 

Consumption  is  a blood  disease,  depending  upon  a 
scrofulous  habit  of -body.  One  person  has  scrofula, 
with  skin  as  point  of  expression  we  call  it — “Tetter” 
or  Salt  Rheum  ; another,  enlarged  glands  in  the  neck 
— it  is  the  same  disease  manifested  through  the  lym- 
phatic glands ; a third  has  a similar  condition  of  the 
blood,  with  tuberculous  deposit  in  the  lung — we  call 
it  consumption.  It  is  not  the  essential  character  of 
the  disease,  so 
much  as  the 
character  of 
tissue  invad- 
ed, which  ren- 
ders consump- 
tion dan  o-er- 

O 

ous  or  incur- 
able. The 
Imm  tubes  ter- 

O 

minate  in  lit- 
tle sacs  with 
delicate  walls 
Avhich  sepa- 
rate the  air  from  the  blood.  These  sacs,  or  air-cells, 
become  filled  with  dead,  tuberculous  matter.  This 
is  at  first  fluid,  but  gradually  assumes  the  consistency 
of  new  cheese. 

When  this  de-vitalized  tissue  has  undergone  disin- 


CAVITIES  IN  THE  LUNG  FORMED  BY  CONSUMPTION. 


200 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


tegration,  it,  with  the  adjacent  structure,  forms  an 
abscess  in  the  lung.  Preceding  this  local  change  is 
an  abnormal  condition  of  the  blood,  and  a diseased 
condition  of  the  membrane  through  which  the  effu- 
sion takes  place. 

§ 136.  Scrofulous  Consumption. 

The  ingenuity  of  medical  writers  of  all  ages  has 
been  taxed  to  understand  or  describe  scrofula. 

By  one  its  definition  is  u a torpid  condition  of  the 
nervous  system,  the  blood  being  rich  in  some  consti- 
tuents, and  poor  in  others.”  Another  defines  it  as 
altered  proportion  of  blood  discs  to  serum,  as  com- 
pared with  health  standard.  Still  another  writer 
says  “ the  blood  of  scrofulous  subjects  has  a defici- 
ency of  red  globules,  and  an  increase  of  albumen.” 
Dr.  Dunglison  calls  it  “ a morbid  condition  of  the 
system,  characterized  by  indolent  glandular  tumors,” 
etc. 

It  is  a diseased  condition  of  the  blood  characterized 
by  deposits  of  de-vitalized  accidental  tissue.  This  de- 
posit may  occur  in  the  lyfnphatic  glands  of  the  neck, 
in  the  brain,  bone,  or  kidneys,  lungs,  or  almost  any 
part  of  the  body.  If  this  diseased  action  occurs  in 
the  skin,  we  may  call  it  scrofula  of  the  skin,  “ tetter, 
or  salt-rheum,”  if  the  deposit  be  in  the  primary  air- 
cells,  or  primary  lobules  of  the  lungs,  we  call  it  con- 
sumption. 


THREE  STAGES  OF  CONSUMPTION". 


201 


The  reader  will,  then,  understand  consumption  as 
scrofulous  deposits  in  the  lungs..  The  term  scrofula 
is  imperfectly  understood  by  most  people.  It  does 
not  necessarily  mean,  tumors,  or  swellings,  or  ulcers, 
but  a condition  of  the  blood  which  is  followed  by 
dead  deposits  in  any  tissue  of  the  body. 

§ 137.  Why  Consumption  is  Dangerous. 

Because  the  scrofulous  deposit  is  in  the  lung  tis- 
sue, composed  mostly  of  delicate  membranes  and 
numerous  blood  - vessels,  situated  near  the  heart. 
When  this  deposit  rots,  the  surrounding  tissue  is  de- 
composed, blood-vessels  are  broken,  and  the  heart, 
by  mechanical  force,  pumps  the  blood  through  the 
111110;  substance  to  the  mouth. 

In  other  words,  consumption  is  dangerous  not  from 
the  essential  character  of  the  disease,  but  from  the 
character  of  the  tissue  invaded,  and  its  anatomical 
relation  to  the  heart. 

§ 138,  Three  Stages  of  Consumption. 

-First.  There  is  an  abnormal  condition  of  the 
blood,  and  of  the  membrane  which  constitutes  the 
walls  of  the  air-cells ; so  that  through  these  walls 
elements  of  the  blood  pass,  and  form  deposits  in  the 
little  chambers  usually  occupied  by  air.  This  is 
called  the  effusive  stage,  and  is  generally,  at  first, 
confined  to  the  upper  portion  of  the  lung.  Thus 
the  breathing  capacity  is  lessened  and  the  respira- 


202 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


tion  becomes  quicker,  so  that  the  diminished  breath- 
ing surface  may  supply  the  usual  amount  of  oxygen 
by  the  system. 

The  second  stage  is  a period  of  rest,  during  which 
the  deposits,  called  tubercles,  become  first  hard  and 
semi-fibrous,  afterwards  they  are  infiltrated  by  the 
serum  of  the  blood,  and  soften.  This  is,  practically, 
a rotting  process. 

The  third  stage  of  consumption  is  the  last,  and 
involves  the  disentegration  of  the  parts.  By  the 
breaking  clown,  abscesses  are  formed  which  empty 
themselves  through  the  mouth.  It  is  now  the  life  of 
the  patient  is  endangered  or  lost. 

§ 139.  How  doss  Consumption  Destroy  Life? 

Death  from  consumption  may  result  in  several  ways. 

First.  The  effusion  during  the  first  stage,  may 
occupy  so  much  of  the  area  of  the  lung  that  the 
oxygen  appropriated  by  the  residue  of  lung  space  is 
insufficient  to  support  life. 

Second.  The  dead  tissue  in  the  lung  may  be  ab- 
sorbed and  carried  to  the  blood,  thus  by  a species  of 
pus-poisoning  it  may  destroy  the  nervous  power  and 
terminate  vital  action. 

Third.  Haemoptysis  may  cause  death  by  exhaus- 
tion. 

Fourth..  The  sputa  resulting  from  voiding  of  ab- 
scess may  cause  strangulation  and  death. 


required 


HOW  DOES  CONSUMPTION  DESTROY  LIFE?  203 


Fifth.  The  progress  of  this  disease  is  generally 
very  slow,  and  the  nutritive,  or  blood-making,  organs 
become  gradually  impaired ; so  that  day  by  day 
the  red  corpuscles  of  the  blood  disappear,  and  this 
fluid  is  depreciated  in  quality  until  the  tissues  die, 
because  they  cannot  find  subsistence  from  this  for 
merly  “ river  of  life.” 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


Consumption-. — Concluded. 

§ 140.  Physical  Signs. 


T may  be  difficult  to  ex- 
plain them,  though,  so  cer- 
tain that  well-informed 
physicians  seldom  differ 
materially  in  their  opin- 
ion of  a given  case.  The 
means  ar$,  diagnosis  by 
observation,  auscultation, 
and  percussion,  or  the 
science  of  reading  lung 
disease  by  interpreting  the  appearance,  breathing 
sounds,  and  such  as  can  be  heard  by  percussion,  or 
pounding  the  chest  walls. 

When  the  lung  is  healthy,  the  sound  elicited  by 
striking  over  its  surface  is  resonant,  as  though  .you 
were  beating  a drum.  If  tuberculous  deposits  exist 
beneath  your  blow,  the  sound  will  be  flat  or  dead,  as 
though  you  were  striking  a liver  or  beefsteak.  Add 
to  a skillful  method  of  percussion  proper  instruments, 
and  the  use  of  an  ear  educated  to  discriminate  be- 


OTHER  SYMPTOMS  OF  CONSUMPTION'. 


205 


tween  diseased  and  healthy  sounds  of  the  lungs,  and 
a deposit  in  the  air-cells,  of  even  inconsiderable  size, 
may  be  detected  with  singular  certainty. 

This  field  of  observation  and  experience  must  be 
monopolized  by  the  cultured  men  of  our  profession ; 
for  the  mysteries  and  needful  discernment  are  without 
the  domain  of  the  pretender  and  the  charlatan.  Grod 
will  not  allow  the  illiterate  quack  to  contest  this 
ground  with  the  competent  physician.  Retraction 
of  the  chest  walls  below  the  collar-bone,  and  “ dull- 
ness ” on  percussion  over  the  lung,  are  the  worst  in- 
dications. 


§ 141.  Other  Symptoms  of  Consumption. 

These  will  be  better  understood  after  a statement 
of  what  are  not  certain  signs  of  consumption. 

First.  Cough.  This  is  not  a reliable  sign.  There 
may  exist  the  most  obstinate  cough,  for  weeks  or 
years,  and  the  lungs  still  be  utterly  free  from  de- 
posits. A cough  is  provoked  by  irritation  or  inflam- 
mation of  the  throat  or  bronchial  tubes. 

The  writer  has  seen  cases  of  this  disease  in  which 
there  was  little  or  no  cough , until  the  third  stage. 
In  short,  there  may  exist  the  worst* cough  and  no 
consumption,  or  the  worst  consumption  and  no 
cough. 

Second.  Sputa.  In  cases  where  there  is  no  light 
red  blood,  the  sputa,  examined  by  the  unaided  eye, 


206  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

furnishes  no  certain  sign  of  consumption.  A patient 
may  expectorate  thick,  yellow,  viscid,  consistent 
matter  for  weeks,  months,  or  even  years,  and  still 
no  tuberculous  deposit  be  found  in  the  lungs.  We 
can  only  infer  this  disease  from  the  sputa  when  by 
the  aid  of  a microscope  we  discover  broken-down 
tissue  of  the  lung. 

Let  sufferers  remember  this.  The  most  competent 
and  skillful  physician  will  not  pretend  to  judge  your 
case  consumption  f rom  the  general  appearance  of  the 
sputa. 

Third.  Bleeding  of  the  lungs  may  indicate  con- 
sumption if  the  blood  be  light  red  and  of  consider- 
able quantity ; but  even  this  is  no  certain  sign  of 
tuberculosis  of  the  lungs;  while  dark  blood  is  fre- 
quently cast  from  the  lungs,  and  the  latter  possess 
no  deposit  of  tubercles,  and  no  lesion. 

Fourth.  Pain  in  the  ' chest  is  no  certain  sign  of 
consumption.  The  lungs  are  largely  non-sentient ; 
though  the  chest  walls  have  an  abundant  distri- 
bution of  fibres  from  the  sensitory  nerves.  In  neu- 
ralgia and  rheumatism,  or  in  pleurisy,  there  may  be 
severe  pain  in  the  chest ; and  not  infrequently  the  last 
stage  of  consumption  may  come,  and  the  patient 
never  have  complained  of  pain  once. 

y 142.  One  Lung  “gone,”  or  “Half  gone,”  etc. 

Few  physicians  have  a correct  knowledge  of  lung 


ONE  LUNG  “GONE,”  ETC.  207 

disease  when  they  graduate ; and  a small  proportion 
of  them  afterwards  become  proficient  in  reading  dis- 
eases of  the  chest.  Most  opinions  given  in  such 
cases  are  ignorantly  gratuitous  or  meanly  empirical. 
Such  phrases  as  “You  have  tubercles  in  one  lung.” 
The  spot  is  generally  indicated.  “ You  have  an  ab- 
scess as  large  as  a walnut,”  or  “ as  large  as  my  fist.” 
Or  “ one  lung  is  half  gone , one  lung  is  entirely 
gone,”  etc.  Each  of  these  phrases  indicate  the  char- 
latan and  the  impostor. 

Educated,  honest  men,  never  use  them  to  describe 
luno’  disease.  A thousand  to  one  neither  of  these 

O 

conditions  exists,  and  the  patient  live  to  hear  it  de- 
scribed. If  you  have  a lung  abscess  as  large  as  the 
first  joint  of  your  thumb,  the  chances  are  against 
your  recovery. 

This  structure  may  be  wounded,  or  lung  abscesses 
may  result  from  chronic  disease  ; but  such  cases  are 
exceptional,  and  extremely  rare. 

Before  one  lung  is  destroyed,  or  you  have  lost  a 
fair  fraction  of  “ half  your  lung”  the  chance  of  sav- 
ing you  has  passed. 

The  writer  was  consulted  in  a case  of  chest  dis- 
ease, when  he  was  told  the  following : 

Mr.  A.,  aged  thirty-four  years,  had  been  suffering 
from  bronchitis  for  several  months.  By  advice  of 
his  physician,  he  sold  his  farm  at  a sacrifice,  and  with 
his  family  travelled  several  hundred  miles  to  place 


208 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


himself  under  the  care  of  a physician  who  assumed  to 
understand  and  treat  lung  disease  from  a large  expe- 
rience. After  pay- 
ing ten  dollars  con- 
sultation  fee,  he 
was  told  to  go 
home  immediately, 
that  “ one  of  his 
lungs  was  entirely 
gone,  and  the 
other  was  half 
gone.” 

The  young  man 
wisely  selected 
another  medical 

adviser. 

4. 

„ § 143.  Women’s  Dress  Promotes  Consumption. 

The  decree  of  fashion  is  only  second  to  that  of 
Divine  Providence.  She  is  a brave  woman  who  suc- 
cessfully contests  the  etiquette  of  the  hour.  This  is 
true  not  only  of  herself,  but  her  children. 

On  the  coldest  winter  afternoon  you  may  meet  a 
regiment  of  little,  bare-legged,  bare-armed  children 
on  Broadway.  If  their  fathers  were  to  adopt  a simi- 
lar warmth  of  dress,  and  exposure,  they  would  re- 
quire a physician  in  twenty-four  hours. 

Fashion  says,  “ bare-kneed  babies and  mothers 
have  not  the  sense  or  the  courage  to  oppose.  The 


women’s  dress  promotes  consumption.  209 


“ corset  crusade  ” is  so  old  that  we  shall  give  novelty 
to  our  page  by  not  condemning  what  every  sensible 
woman  knows  to  be  a folly  and  a crime.  The 
accompanying  engravings  will  show  the  difference 
between  a natural,  healthy  waist,  and  one  which 
has  been  constricted  by  tight  dresses  or  corsets. 

If  a young  lady  were  thoroughly  educated  concern- 
ing laws  of  health  she  would  be  ashamed  to  appear 
in  public  with  an  eighteen  or  twenty-inch  waist. 
To  say,  “ I am  naturally  small-ioaisted ,”  is  another 
way  of  saying,  “ I am  dis- 
eased ; ” and  with  a true 
sense  of  the  duty  you  owe 
to  yourself  and  society, 
you  would  as  willingly 
say,  “ I am  naturally  a 
fool.” 

A man  well-known  in 
our  national  politics  re- 
cently brought  his  daugh- 
ter of  eighteen  to  the 

° NATURAL  CHEST  WHICH  HAS  NEVER  BEEN 

writer  for  advice  relative  CORSETED, 

to  her  health.  During  the  conversation  he  stated 
she  was  “ very  delicate  and  frail,”  also  that  a “ sixteen- 
inch  corset  w as  too  large  for  her.”  No  lady  should 
be  satisfied  with  a waist  less  than  twenty-four  inches  ; 
and  where  the  chest  measures  thirty-five  inches,  the 

waist  should  be  twenty-eight  inches,  at  least. 

14 


210 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


The  following  indicates  the  relative  proportions  of 
a well-formed  woman : 

Measurement  of  head  22 <1  inches. 

“ “ neck  13  “ 

“ “ chest  32  “ 

“ “ waist  27  “ 

What  is  considered  by  fashionable  women  “ a very 
loose  corset ,”  diminishes  the  breathing  capacity  one- 

sixth  or  more.  This  depriva- 
tion of  oxygen  is  a direct  cause 
of  consumption. 

Distribution  of  Clothing. 
This  should  preserve  uniform 
temperature  over  the  body. 
The  arms  and  legs  stand  most 
in  need  of  extra  covering,  as 
the  trunk  is  supplied  with 
great  vascular  organs  .which 
render  it  less  liable  to  chill. 
Where  there  is  a tendency  to 
consumption,  the  upper  part  of  the  chest  and  arms 
should  be  particularly  protected ; so  that  no  exposure 
would  affect  them  more  than  other  parts  of  the  body. 

For  style  and  method  of  women’s  dress,  the  reader 
is  referred  to  another  part  of  this  volume. 


CHEST  DEFORMED  BY  CORSETS. 


§ 144.  Other  Gauses  of  Consumption. 

First.  Hereditary  Taint.  Individuals  and  fami- 


OTHER  CAUSES  OF  CONSUMPTION. 


211 


lies  show  a tendency  to  consumptive  diathesis,  or  habit 
of  body.  This  may  be  observed  in  succeeding  gene- 
rations, as  from  parent  to  child,  and,  also,  where  both 
parents  are  free  from  this  disease,  while  their  children 
show  an  early  predisposition  to  lung  symptoms,  and 
a part  or  all  of  them  may  die  of  consumption  before 
they  have  arrived  at  manhood  or  womanhood. 

Where,  from  the  constitutions  of  the  parents,  or  a 
misrelation  of  temperaments,  or  structural  conditions, 
as  between  husband  and  wife,  the  children  exhibit  a 
proclivity  to  consumption,  the  deposit  of  tubercles 
may  follow  measles,  bronchitis,  or  lung  fever. 

Children  born  of  scrofulous  parents  may  develop 
tubercles  from  a bad  cold ; and  so  strong;  is  the  hered- 
itary  tendency,  that  marriage  between  persons  who 
by  themselves  or  their  families  exhibit  a scrofulous 
history  should  not  be  tolerated,  as  the  child  of  such 
a union  will  be  strongly  predisposed  to  consumption. 

This  tendency  becomes  intensified  when  consan- 
guinity is  added  to  the  scrofulous  taint  of  parents. 

Second.  Impure  Atmosphere.  Dr.  McCormac  puts 
at  the  head  of  the  list  of  consumption  breeders. 
Clark,  Laennec,  and  Parker  ascribe  a very  large  pro- 
portion of  these  cases  to  the  same  cause.  Experiments 
on  animals  fully  sustain  these  eminent  men ; and  it 
may  now  be  regarded  as  settled  that  imperfect  ven- 
tilation for  infants  and  adults  is  the  most  prolific 
source  of  this  wasting  disease. 


212 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


Third.  Idleness  and  eating  take  a respectable  rank 
in  the  march  of  this  ally  of  death.  Whatever  causes 
diminish  the  nutritive  power  or  depress  vitality  pro- 
duce consumption.  A diet  composed  mostly  of  fats 
and  sweets,  which  yield  an  overplus  of  carbonaceous 
elements  to  the  blood,  is  favorable  to  tuberculous 
deposits.  When  young  rabbits  are  thus  fed,  and  con- 
fined in  impure  atmosphere  without  exercise,  tuber- 
cles are  rapidly  developed  and  they  die  of  consump- 
tion. 

A similar  cause  hastens  the  death  of  many  children 
confined  to  unventilated  rooms,  an  improper  diet,  and 
little  or  no  exercise.  Consumption  is  a wasting  pro- 
cess, and  when  the  blood-making  organs  fail  to  repair 
the  daily  waste  of  tissue,  the  fatal  result  is  only  a 
question  of  time.  As  exercise  assists  digestion , the 
want  of  it  invites  decay  and  death. 

Fourth.  Among  other  causes  productive  of.  condi- 
tions which  favor  tuberculosis  may  be  mentioned  de- 
pressing mental  conditions ; working  in  dust  of  emery 
wheel ; long  exposure  to  a cold,  moist  atmosphere, 
with  conditions  that  cause  repeated  colds ; insufficient 
clothing ; nursing  consumptive  mothers,  and  sleeping 
with  and  breathing  the  same  air  with  victims  of  this 
disease. 

§ 145.  Dry  Air  Arrests  Consumption. 

Out  on  the  “ plains  ” the  meat  of  the  buffalo  or 
antelope  may  hang  out-doors,  and  be  cured  as  per- 


TREATMENT  FOR  CONSUMPTION. 


213 


fectly  as  in  an  Eastern  smokehouse.  The  same  meat 
hanging  along  New  England  streams  will  rapidly 
rot.  In  the  first  instance  the  atmosphere  is  dry,  and 
pure ; in  the  last,  moist,  and  so  encourages  putre- 
faction. 

When  a limited  tuberculous  deposit,  or  the  ulcer- 
ation peculiar  to  many  cases  of  bronchitis  is  brought 
in  contact  with  dry  air,  the  tendency  towards  disin- 
tegration is  arrested  ; and  many  cases  of  lung  disease 
may  be  cured  in  Minnesota  or  Colorado,  which 
would  prove  fatal  in  a less  favored  climate. 

The  curative  reputation  of  the  West,  however, 
has  hitherto  depended  as  much  upon  poor  houses , 
thorough  ventilation , and  an  out-door  life , as  upon  the 
quality  of  the  atmosphere. 

As  Minnesota  becomes  settled,  and  the  tight,  un- 
ventilated dwellings  of  New  York  are  imitated,  its 
climate  is  regarded  with  less  favor  by  consumptives ; 
yet  her  atmosphere  was  never  more  curative  than 
to-day.  To  get  it  you  must  live  out-doors  and  in  the 
sunlight  when  you  can.  If  you  contemplate  a visit 
West,  thoroughly  study  ventilation  before  you  start ; 
and  do  not  forget  it  while  you  live  there. 

§ 146.  Treatment  for  Consumption. 

First.  Improve  the  condition  of  the  blood  that  has 
been  impoverished  by  preliminary  dyspepsia,  which 
always  precedes  the  tubercular  deposit. 


214 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


Second.  Subdue  the  fever,  arrest  the  cough,  en- 
courage absorption  of  tubercle,  and  by  every  possible 
means  save  the  strength  of  the  patient  and  add  to  it 
what  you  can. 

To  accomplish  the  above,  Hygienic  management  is 
more  important  than  any  or  all  medicines  can  be 
without  it ; and  to  secure  this  the  following  rules, 
modified  to  meet  the  demands  of  special  cases,  will 
serve  as  a general  guide  : 

First.  Pure,  fresh  air  of  an  even  temperature, 
twenty-four  hours  of  each  day. 

Second.  Moderate  to  brisk  exercise  in  open  air 
every  day. 

Third.  The  patient  should  have  a uniform  dry 
climate,  with  a mean  temperature  of  sixty  to  sixty- 
four  degrees,  and  a range  of  not  more  than  twelve  to 
fifteen  degrees. 

Fourth.  The  chest  should  be  thoroughly  protected 
with  several  folds  of  flannel  and  one  of  soft  leather, 
and  the  arms  and  legs  well  covered. 

Fifth.  Sleep  from  nine  to  fifteen  hours  each  day. 

Sixth.  Little  or  no  in-door  labor ; total  sexual 
abstinence  and  careful  cleanliness  of  body  must  be 
enjoined. 

Seventh.  A generous,  nourishing  diet,  by  one  hearty 
and  two  spare  meals  each  day ; the  food  to  consist 
largely  of  healthy  meats,  coarse  bread,  oatmeal,  barley 
and  fruits. 


TREATMENT  EOR  CONSUMPTION. 


215 


Eighth.  Avoid  a spare  diet  and  every  system  of 
bathing  which  diminishes  strength ; for,  while  judi- 
cious bathing,  for  cleanliness  or  to  control  fever,  and 
compresses,  ivisely  applied,  are  beneficial,  yet  no 
course  of  water  treatment  ever  cured  a single  case  of 


consumption. 

Ninth.  Medical  treatment  is  extremely  important ; 
and  in  the  choice  of  remedies,  opium,  tartar  emetic, 
the  mineral  acids,  or  aught  else  that  impairs  nutrition 
or  renders  the  stomach  irritable,  must  be  avoided. 

Tenth.  Medication  by  inhalation  is  the  proper 
method  for  local  treat- 
ment of  the  lungs.  In 
this  way  the  cough  may 
be  diminished,  absorp- 


tion encouraged,  and 


local  healino;  effected. 

This  will  be  shown  by 
the  changed  appearance 
of  sputa  and  improved 
respiratory  power. 

The  accompanying  engraving  indicates  the  instru- 
ment the  writer  has  used  for  years  with  gratifying 
results. 

Eleventh.  A judicious  course  of  constructive  tonic 
treatment  is  an  essential  part  of  a wise  plan.  The 
author  does  not  include  formulas  for  medical  treat- 
ment, because  he  believes  an  indiscriminate  use  of 


216 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

valuable  remedies  does  less  good  tli&n  harm ; that 
only  physicians  can  prescribe  medicine  wisely,  and 
rather  than  take  it  unwisely  it  had  better  be  avoided 
altogether. 

Twelfth.  Cod  Liver  Oil  and  Whiskey. — The  vir- 
tue is  in  cod  liver  oil,  and  it  is  only  a filthy  grease  at 
best.  Its  medical  properties  and  food  properties  are 
identical. 

On  the  fishing  wharves  at  Portland,  Maine,  you 
can,  any  week-day,  see  large  vessels  containing  the 
entire  entrails  of  the  cod,  halibut,  and  several  other 
kinds  of  fishes  thrown  together.  In  due  time,  if  the 
offensive  odor  does  not  drive  all  hands  away,  this 
filthy  mass  is  boiled,  and  then  strained.  The  fluid  is 
sent  to  the  refinery,  where,  by  a chemical  process,  the 
odor  is  extracted  in  part  and  the  color  improved. 
Then  it  is  bottled,  labeled  “ Pure  Cod  Liver  Oil,  for 
the  Cure  of  Consumption,”  and  shipped  for  use. 

Dr.  • Carson,  one  of  the  most  learned  of  living 
physicians,  advised  his  students  to  exchange  cod  liver 
oil  for  cream.  The  latter  contains  all  the  curative 
properties  of  the  former,  and  is  more  agreeable. 

In  consumption  there  is  a frequent  aversion  to  fats, 
and  for  want  of  these  the  body  wastes. 

Cod  liver  oil  will  frequently  fatten  the  patient,  but 
it  is  to  be  commended  as  a food,  and  not  for  any  speci- 
fic medical  properties  it  is  supposed  to  possess. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


Concerning  Sight  and  Hearing. 

§ 147.  The  Eye. 


is  the  broad  pathway  through 
which  all  objects  and  forms 
present  themselves  before, 
and  impress  themselves  upon 
the  soul.  Other  courts  there 
are  with  sweet  sounds  and 
gentle  touch ; but  this  alone 
has  statuary,  colored  leaves 
of  all  the  seasons,  books, 
sweet  - faced  friends,  pictures 
“ afire  with  genius,”  sun  rising  and  sun  setting,  shapes 
of  all  things  living  and  dead.  Curtain  the  “ windows 
of  the  soul,”  and  see  how  dark  is  life.  Poor  old  grand- 
father sits  in  perpetual  night,  until  fading  memory 
removes  him  from  the  things  beautiful  which  glad- 
dened early  days.  Death  takes  him  from  his  dark 
prison,  and  new  sight,  new  11  birth,”  new  joys  and 
heaven  are,  to  him,  born  the  same  hour. 

Nature  has  been  wonderfully  generous  to  this  im- 
portant part  of  man.  The  home  of  the  eye  is  com- 


218  dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

mancling  in  position,  and  inclosed  with  strong,  bony 
walls  which  protect  it  from  accident  or  enemy.  The 
genius  of  light  works  through  a mysteriously  con- 
structed globe,  the  sides  of  which  are  strong  and 
flexible.  The  frontal  part  of  these  is  called  a cornea , 
which  is  thick,  strong  and  transparent.  Behind  the 
cornea  is  a beautiful  muscle  called  the  iris,  which 
regulates  the  amount  of  light  that  may  reach  the 
posterior  chamber.  The  round  window  of  this  mus- 


A SECTION  OF  THE  EYE  SHOWING  THE  SEVERAL  STRUCTURES,  AND  THEIR 
RELATION. 


cle  is  called  the  pupil,  which  becomes  smaller  as  the 
light  becomes  stronger.  A large  pupil  was  among 
Italian  girls  a sign  of  beauty,  and  to  render  this 
window  larger  they  employed  a drug  called  “ deadly 
night  - shade.”  This  afterwards  derived  a new  name 
from  its  use — “ bella  donna  ” or  “ beautiful  lady.” 
Its  use  confuses  the  sight ; and  the  beauty  thus 
secured  rapidly  vanishes  and  leaves  disease  in  its 


MEIBOMIAN  GLANDS. 


219 


stead.  Back  of  the  iris  is  a pigment,  the  color  of 
which  determines  the  “ color  of  the  eye.”  Behind 
the  pupil  is  the  crystalline  lens , which,  by  its  shape, 
regulates  the  vision,  as  it  pertains  to  near  by  or  dis- 
tant objects,  and  may  be  compared  to  the  glasses  in 
a telescope.  The  large  posterior  chamber  of  the  eye 
is  filled  with  a clear  jelly  called  vitreous  humor. 
Upon  the  inner  coat  of  the  wall  is  distributed  the 
optic  nerve , or  nerve  of  sight.  It  alone  receives  the 
impression  of  the  object,  and  is  particularly  involved 
in  the  disease  called  amaurosis. 

The  outer  structure  of  the  eye  is  provided  with 
curtains,  lined  by  the  same  membrane  which  covers 
the  eyeball,  called  conjunctiva.  This  is  lubricated 
by  tears,  secreted  by  a special  gland,  and  flowing 
continually  to  prevent  friction  or  inflammation  of 
the  conjunctiva. 

§ 148.  Meibomian  G-lands. 

These  are  situated  in  the  eyelids,  and  open  upon 
their  edge.  They  furnish  an  oily  fluid  which  pre- 
vents the  tears  from  running  over  the  lid.  In  ap- 
pearance they  resemble  a “ string  of  pearls.”  These 
are  very  liable  to  disease  in  scrofulous  children.  If 
only  one  of  them  becomes  inflamed,  it  is  called  a 
“ stye  / ” but  when  the  whole  are  involved,  it  is 
called  tarsal  ophthalmia , which  is  always  indicative 
of  the  state  of  the  general  health,  and  when  neg- 


220 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


lected,  or  improperly  treated  may  lead  to  involvement 
of  tlie  globe  of  tbe  eye,  or  ulceration  of  tlie  cornea. 

Treatment. — When  the  edges  of  the  lids  become 
thick,  red,  irritable  or  inflamed,  they  should  be 
bathed  frequently  with  warm,  salted  water,  until 
thoroughly  cleansed,  and  then  simple  cerate,  or  a 


OPHTHALMIA  OR  SCROFULOUS  SORE  EYES. 


mild,  absorbent  ointment,  applied  night  and  morn- 
ing. Alterative  medical  treatment,'  changed  each 
week,  and  the  strictest  regard  to  diet  and  bathing 
perpetually  enjoined,  are  absolutely  necessary  to  suc- 
cessful treatment. 

§ 149.  Weeping  Eye. 

This  is  caused  by  a partial  or  complete  closure  of 
the  tear  duct,  which  commences  in  the  “ corner  ” of 
the  eye  and  empties  in  the  nose. 


INFLAMED  EYES. 


221 


The  tears  are  secreted  by  a gland  situated  in  the 

upper  and  outer 
part  of  the  eye. 
When  the  na- 
sal duct  becomes 
obstructed,  the 
tears  are  com 
pelled  to  flow 
over  the  cheek 
instead  of  taking 

SHOWING  THE  TEAR  GLAND,  AND  THE  PASSAGE  DISEASED  IN  . .. 

“WEEPING  EYE.”  their  natural 

course  through  the  nose. 

Not  unfrequently  a fistula  is  formed  between  the 
nose  and  the  internal  canthus  of  the  eye,  which  dis- 
figures the  face,  and  calls  for  surgical  interference. 

Treatment.  This  is  a most  common  complication 
of  nasal  catarrh.  The  reader  is  referred  to  Chapter 
X.  of  this  volume,  where  the  writer  has  discussed 
its  treatment  at  greater  length.  It  is  a condition  so 
frequently  mistreated,  that  one  afflicted  by  it  cannot 
be  too  careful  in  deciding  by  whom,  or  in  what  man- 
ner he  will  be  treated. 

§ 150.  “Inflamed  Eyes” 

sometimes  called  conjunctivitis , or  catarrhal  ophthal- 
mia. In  acute  stages  the  discharge  from  inflamed 
eyes  coming  in  contact  with  others,  frequently  re- 
peats the  disease ; but  even  then,  the  disease  seldom 


222 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


lasts  long,  unless  the  general  system  is  in  a bad  condi- 
tion, or  the  treatment  is  atrociously  heroic , as  is  too 
frequently  the  case. 

Red  Eyes  are  short-lived,  unless  the  stomach  is 
deranged.  The  sympathetic  nervous  system,  which  is 
so  abundantly  supplied  to  the  stomach,  controls, 
likewise  the  blood-vessels  of  the  eye ; and  the  ap-‘ 
pearance  of  the  eye  depends  upon  the  condition  of 
the  digestive  organs. 

Treatment.  Keep  the  bowels  soluble  by  diet,  and 
saline  cathartics.  Studiously  adhere  to  a simple,  nu- 
tritious, u cooling  ” diet,  composed  largely  of  fruits 
and  grains.  Bathe  frequently,  and  wash  the  eyes 
several  times  daily  in  tepid  salted  water.  Put  the 
latter  in  a basin  and  hold  the  eye  therein,  opening 
and  closing  them  often.  The  operation  is  painless 
and  pleasant.  Avoid  using  the  eyes  or  exposing 
them  to  a strong  light.  Above  all  else  avoid  salves , 
ointments  or  eye-water  which  .produce  pain.  The 
common  treatment  for  this  disease  is  tenfold  worse 
than  the  disease  itself.  Stimulating  external  washes 
are  often  very  beneficial ; and  a weak  solution  of  ace- 
tate of  zinc  externally  apjdied,  sometimes  rapidly 
reduces  local  inflammation. 

§ 151.  Granular  Eyelids. 

These  may  be  the  product  of  any  form  of  inflam- 
mation of  the  eyes,  or  their  improper  treatment,  but 
is  most  frequently  found  among  intemperate  people. 


CATARACT. 


223 


It  is  a formation  of  fleshy  granules  on  the  lid-lining, 
making  it  rough  and  uneven,  and  causing  a sensation 

O O f o 

as  though  sand-grains  were  in  the  eye. 

Treatment.  This  should  he  thorough  and  effective. 
No  “ Eye  water”  or  “ Eye  washes.”  You  can  get  no 
permanent  relief  until  the  granulations  are  destroyed. 
In  the  hands  of  a skillful  surgeon  this  means  gentle, 
painless  scarification  of  the  granules,  followed  by  an 
astringent  application,  and  it  in  turn  by  olive  oil  or 
glycerine. 

Above  all  else,  avoid  tinkering.  “ Legitimate  ” 
treatment  is  bad  enough ; but  the  curse  of  sore  eyes 
has  come  largely  from  the  abominably  empirical  prac- 
tice of  old  women , old  men , “ Indian  doctors ,”  and 
“ Eye  doctors .” 

After  a long  and  extensive  practice,  the  writer 
has  thoughtfully  adopted  the  following  rule,  viz., 
never  make  a painf  ul  application  to  the  eye  structure 
unless  you  want  to  destroy  some  substance. 

§ 152.  Cataract. 

This  is  an  opacity  of  the  crystalline  lens.  It  may 
be  congenital,  is  often  the  result  of  injury,  but  it  is 
generally  a companion  of  old  age.  Once  commenced, 
it  cannot  be  arrested  by  art,  unless  good  habits  of 
living  may.  The  only  remedy  is  a surgical  one. 
Operation  by  needle  or  knife,  generally  the  latter,  is 
the  only  cure ; medicine  has  no  effect  on  it  whatever. 


224 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


The  operation  is  generally  followed  by  good  results 
when  the  patient,  before  the  operation,  can  distin- 
guish a sunny  window  or  a bright  lamp-light.  When 
all  sense  of  light  is  gone,  the  operation  will  certainly 
fail.  You  are  safe  in  selecting  a thoroughly-educated 
surgeon  and  following  his  advice.  In  cataract  the 
pupil  is  of  “ milky  ” color. 

§ 153.  Cross  Eyes. 

The  direction  and  motion  of  the  eye  are  determined 
by  the  use  of  one  or  more  of  the  six  muscles  which 
have  their  attachment  to  the  sclerotic  or  strong  coat 
of  the  eye,  a few  lines  back  of  the  cornea. 


Four  of  these  are  called  straight  muscles,  and  are 
named  superior , inferior , interior  and  exterior , accord- 
ing to  their  positions.  The  other  two  are  oblique. 
To  each  of  these  muscles  are  distributed  nerve- 


CE0S3  EYES. 


225 


fibers,  which  regulate  their  action.  If  the  nerve  to 
one  becomes  paralyzed,  the  opposite  and  healthy 
muscle  draws  the  eye  to  itself.  When  this  result 
throws  the  sight  of  one  eye  across  the  other,  it  is 
called  “ cross  eyes,”  or  convergent  strabismus.  If  the 
eye  be  thrown  out,  it  is  called  divergent  strabismus. 

This  is  most  liable  to  occur  in  early  childhood, 
sometimes  before  birth,  but  it  may  appear  at  any 
period  of  life.  Convulsions,  irritation  of  teething , in- 


MINNIE  HARRINGTON  BEFORE  HER  EYES  MINNIE’S  PICTURE  AFTER  DR.  EVERETT’S 

WERE  STRAIGHTENED  BY  DR.  E.  OPERATION. 

jury  from  blow  or  fall,  or  brain  disease  may  produce 
it.  In  such  cases  the  one  eye  gradually  loses  its 
power  of  sight,  and  if  the  eyes  be  not  straightened 
the  appearance  of  the  person  is  permanently  injured. 

The  operation  for  cross  eyes  furnishes  the  most 
satisfactory  results  of  any  department  of  eye  surgery. 
It  consists  of  an  entire  section  of  the  stronger  muscle 
of  the  crooked  eye,  and  a careful,  limited  dissection 
of  the  sub-conjunctival  fascia.  To  this  add  the  sub- 

15 


22G  be.  -everett’s  health  fragments. 

junctival  stitch , and  a skillful  operator  can  set  the  eye 
in  any  direction  he  prefers.  It  is  a simple,  safe,  cer- 
tain operation,  and  is  followed  by  tlie  loss  of  only  a 
few  drops  of  blood.  In  no  degree  is  the  sight  inter- 
fered with,  except  to  jmt  the  eye  in  a proper  position ; 
and  then,  by  its  after  use,  the  sight  may  be  increased 
and  strengthened. 

Formless  fears  till  the  minds  of  the  uninitiated  in 
this  matter,  and  fond  parents  often  allow  their  child 
to  grow  up  with  injured  appearance,  diminished  sight 
and  spoiled  disposition , because  they  are  afraid  the 
child  may  lose  its  sight  or  life  in  the  operation.  After 
a large  practical  experience  of  many  years,  the  writer 
can  assure  the  reader  that  the  operation  is  free  from 
all  danger , and  that  in  all  cases  the  result  can  be  only 
good  if  the  operator  understands  his  business. 

Fon  years  1 luvve  refused  to  make  a fee  unless  the 
operation  was  a perfect  success.  The  eyes  can  be 
straightened  at  any  age,  but  it  is  always  best  to  have 
it  attended  to  early,  even  as  early  as  the  second  or 
third  year,  and  after  that  the  earlier  it  is  done  the 
less  the  danger  of  losing  the  sight  of  the  crooked 
eye. 

The  parent  who  allows  his  child  to  grow  up  with 
“ crooked  eyes,”  and  the  consequences  which  follow 
their  possession,  is  committing  a crime  which  his  ig- 
norance, fear,  or  after  years  can  never  atone  for. 


EAR. 


227 


§ 154.  Ear. 

This  is  tlie  saddest  and  sweetest  gift  of  God. 
Through  it  comes  warning,  greeting,  good  news, 
good-by.  The  grand  old  anthems,  the  hymns  of 
heaven,  the  bugle  blast,'  the  broken  sobs,  the  bene- 
diction, the  whisper  which  fades  away  into  the  night 
and  grows  stronger  as  we  hear  it  to-morrow  from 
the  sky.  What  would  this  world  be  without  voice, 
without  music,  without  sound  or  ear  to  catch  it  \ 
Man’s  is  not  the  best.  Many  animals  hear  better 
than  he.  His  is  simple,  but  wonderful. 

The  outer  ear  is  called  th q pavilion,  which  collects 
sounds  that  pass  through  the  outer  canal  and  strike 
the  “ drum?  That  is  a delicate,  yet  tough  mem- 

b r a n e , w li  i c h 
separates  the 
outer  from  the 
middle  ear,  across 
which  sounds 
travel  on  little 
ear-bones  to  the 
cochlea,  or  shell 
in  which  is  the 
nerve  of  hearing. 
There  the  mes- 
sage is  received 
and  reported  to  the  brain.  The  passage  marked  12 
connects  the  ear  with  the  throat.  Every  time  we 


228 


dr.  Everett’s  health  fragments. 


swallow,  this  Eustachian  tube  is  opened  and  admits 
of  air  passing  to  the  middle  chamber  of  the  ear.  If 
this  be  discontinued,  or  if  from  any  reason  the  air  is 
not  supplied  through  this  chamber,  the  sense  of 
sound  is  impaired,  and  hearing  rendered  difficult. 


§ 155.  Deafness 

Is  the  commonest  companion  of  old  age,  and  few 
other  disabilities  are  so  trying  or  inconvenient.  It 
may  be  caused  by  old  age,  for  which  this  world  pro- 
vides no  relief.  Sometimes  the  oil  secreted  by  glands 
in  the  outer  canal  becomes  hardened  into  wax,  wliicb 
causes  partial  deafness.  In  such  cases  the  wax 
should  be  melted  by  warm  castile  soap  and  water, 
discharged  from  a syringe;  after  the  wax  is  removed 
insert  a few  drops  of  pure  olive  oil  or  glycerine.  In 
these  cases  there  is,  generally,  unusual  heat  in  that 
structure,  which  may  be  overcome  by  strict  atten- 
tion to  the  general  health.  When  the  wax  is  hard 
it  is  well  to  soften  it  with  glycerine  before  using  the 
syringe. 

Thiclcening  of  the  ear-drum  is  not  an  uncommon 
cause  of  deafness,  especially  among  scrofulous  per- 
sons. In  such  cases  the  treatment  should  be  general 
rather  than  local. 

Catarrhal  deafness  is  more  common  than  all  others. 
This  is  usually  preceded  by  symptoms  of  nasal 
catarrh,  the  inflammation  passing  from  the  throat 


OTORRHGEA. 


229 


along  tlie  Eustachian  tube  to  the  ear.  The  symp- 
toms are  not  only  dullness  of  hearing,  but  noises  in 
the  head,  and  a profuse  secretion  of  mucus  partially 
or  completely  closing  the  tube.  In  this  the  deaf- 
ness is  always  increased  with  renewed  cold.  The 
treatment  is  spoken  of  particularly  in  Chapter  X., 
to  which  the  reader  is  referred. 

§ 156.  Otorrhcea,  or  Running  Ear. 

This  is  liable  to  follow  measles  or  scarlet  fever 
when  the  patient  is  a scrofulous  child.  It  is  caused 
by  inflammation  of  the  structure  of  the  ear,  and  must 
be  arrested  before  the  delicate  parts  are  wasted,  or 
the  hearing  becomes  permanently  impaired.  It  is  not 
safe  to  let  it  alone , lest  the  injury  done  is  irreparable. 

The  treatment  is  often  tedious  and  prolonged ; 
but  not  more  than  one  case  in  one  hundred  is  incur- 
able. Dr.  Gross  wisely  insists  on  the  absolute  neces- 
sity of  a careful  dietary,  and  a rigid  observance  of 
health  rules  generally.  After  this  is  regulated  in 
every  important  particular,  constructive  tonic  and 
alterative  medicines  should  be  used,  the  latter 
changed  every  week.  To  these  are  added  astringent 
drops  applied  to  the  running  ear  after  it  has  been 
thoroughly  cleansed  by  warm  castile  soap  and  water 
at  night.  The  drops  should  be  used  with  discretion, 
and  never  without  the  first-mentioned  part  of  the 
treatment. 


230 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


§ 157.  Practical  Hints  Concerning  the  Ear. 

Deafness  is  generally  the  result  of  inflammation 
seated  in  some  part  of  the  ear  structure.  The  first 
symptom  of  deafness  should  excite  solicitude  suffi- 
cient to  inquire  the  cause,  and  remove  it  if  possible. 

All  persons  afflicted  with  deafness  should  avoid 
damp  cellars,  cold  currents  of  air,  and  protect  their 
ears  by  suitable  covering. 

Avoid  repeated  colds,  as  they  are  the  parent  of 


METHOD  OF  EXAMINING  EAR  WITH  SPECULUM  AND  CONCAVE  MIRROR. 


most  cases  of  deafness.  You  cannot  too  carefully 
guard  against  so-called  Aurists  or  ear  doctors.  So- 
ciety  has  few  members  more  dangerous  than  “ Doc- 
tors who  understand  and  treat  only  the  eye  and  ear? 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

For  Women. 

§ 158.  Menstruation. 

O far  as  the  anatomical  structure  is  con- 
cerned, the  reproductive  organs  of  a little 
three-year  old  girl  are  as  perfect  as  those 
of  a woman  at  thirty-three ; but  they  are, 
like  the  tree  which  has  not  borne  fruit, 
functionally  deficient.  At  about  fifteen 
the  ovaries  become  active.  By  a natural 
process,  one  of  the  little  subdivisions  of 
the  ovary  undergoes  a process  of  suppuration  and 
casts  forth  a little  ovum,  or  egg,  which  is  seized  by 


1,  3,  Fallopian  tube;  4,  Ovary;  5,  Round  cord;  6,  Fundus  of  womb;  7,  Body  of  womb; 
8,  9,  Neck  of  womb;  10,  Mouth  of  womb;  11,  Vagina. 

the  extremities  of  the  Fallopian  tube,  and  thence 
conducted  to  the  uterus. 

During  the  development  of  the  egg  the  uterus  be- 
comes congested,  and  by  a process  of  extravasation 
its  lining  membrane  yields  a red  fluid,  very  similar 
to  capillary  blood,  and  called  the  menstrual  discharge. 


232 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


This  should  appear  every  twenty-eight  days;  and 
during  the  time  the  girl  should  experience  no  pain  or 
other  sign  of  illness.  It  is  a natural  physiological 
process,  and  perfectly  healthy  females  notice  the  dis- 
charge as  the  first  sign  of  the  “period.” 

§ 159.  Irregular  Menstruation. 

Injudicious  dressing,  leaving  the  limbs  exposed, 
want  of  exercise,  scrofula,  dyspepsia,  and  many  other 
causes,  enfeeble  the  condition  of  girls  so  that  the 
“ period  ” is  ushered  in  with  pain  or  caprice.  Some- 
times there  is  an  absence  or  suppression  of  the  menses 
for  weeks  or  months ; at  other  times,  by  a relaxed 
condition  of  the  uterus,  or  lack  of  muscular  or  ner- 
vous tone,  as  pertaining  to  her  general  structure,  the 
discharges  are  profuse,  even  alarmingly  so. 

These  symptoms  do  not,  generally,  indicate  any 
special  disease  of  the  reproductive  organs,  but  are  a 
warning  that  attention  to  the  general  health  as  to 
diet,  dress,  exercise  and  bathing  are  necessary.  When 
these  first  appear,  a wise  regard  for  health  rules  will 
remove  the  cause  and  restore  the  lost  health. 

When  the  discharge  is  profuse,  a quiet,  recumbent 
position,  and  twenty  drops  of  laudanum,  repeated 
every  half  hour  until  its  influence  is  felt,  will  usually 
prove  a simple  and  efficient  corrective. 

§ 160.  Fain  at  Period. 

Dysmenorrhoea  is  one  of  the  chief  sources  of  female 
suffering.  It  is  common  to  the  single  and  the  mar- 
ried.  Its  immediate  cause  is  congestion  of  the  womb. 
There  can  be  no  pain  without  an  overfulluess  of  the 
uterine  vessels.  This  congestion  may  be  referred  to 


ULCERATION  OF  WOMB. 


233 


a “neuralgic”  or  rheumatic  condition  of  the  womb, 
or  to  an  inflammation  of  the  cervix  or  neck,  which 
prevents  the  menstrual  fluid  from  flowing  into  the 
vagina. 

o 

It  is  one  of  the  old  standing  disorders  that  has  baf- 
fled “ old  ladies  ” and  old  doctors.  Warm  drinks  and 
warm  foot-baths  answer  for  simple  cases;  but  in 
severer  cases  the  following  rule  will  be  found  more 
efficient : At  first  indication  of  pain  at  menses,  take  a 
sitz-bath  of  water,  as  hot  as  you  can  endure  it,  for 
five  minutes,  a hot  foot-bath  at  the  same  time ; then 
go  to  bed,  cover  warm,  apply  hot  cloths  over  abdo- 
men, and  hot  bricks  to  feet.  Thus  rest  for  two  hours ; 
then  avoid  exposure  to  cold. 

In  others,  preceded  by  ulceration  and  a stricture 
of  the  passage  leading  to  the  body  of  the  womb,  a 
sponge  tent  may  be  inserted  to  advantage.  This  can 
only  be  done  by  a skillful  hand,  and,  fortunately,  is 
seldom  needed. 

The  frequent  method  of  treating  this  condition  by 
local  instrumental  appliances  is  a product  of  the  ig- 
norance, weakness,  and  licentiousness  of  medical 
practice.  It  is  approved  by  some  good  men  in  the 
profession,  but  the  writer  has  for  years  been  satisfied 
that  it  is  seldom  necessary. 

Our  space  is  too  limited  hereto  discuss  this  disease 
or  its  treatment  at  lenAk ; but  I would  simo’est  the 
necessity  of  frequent  hip-baths  and  vaginal  injections 
of  tepid  water ; also  of  a regard  for  best  conditions 
of  skin,  bowels,  and  digestive  organs. 

§ 161.  Ulceration  of  Womb. 

This  is  generally  preceded  by  pain  at  period. 


234 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 

Ulceration  is  a product  of  inflammation , and  where 
congestion  of  the  body  or  neck  of  the  womb  exists 
for  a protracted  period  it  generally  develops  an  ul- 
cerated surface.  This,  however,  is  as  simple  as  an 
ulcer  on  the  linger,  and  should  be  treated  upon  the 
same  principles.  A vaginal  injection  of  a quart  of 
salted  water,  two  or  three  times  daily,  with  sitz-baths 
and  absence  of  all  sexual  excitement,  is  in  the  right 
direction.  In  obstinate  cases  a local  application  will 
hasten  a cure ; but  when  necessary  its  full  benefit 
may  be  secured  by  a remedy  suited  to  the  case,  ap- 
plied by  the  patient’s  own  hand,  in  the  shape  of  cot- 
ton saturated  with  the  remedial  asrent. 

O 

The  process  of  cauterization  in  common  vogue  can- 
not be  too  severely  condemned.  Here,  also,  must 
every  possible  attention  be  paid  to  the  general  health. 

§ 162.  Leucorrhosa, 

commonly  called  “ Whites,”  from  the  appearance 
of  the  discharge.  In  most  cases  it  is  simply  catarrh 
of  the  vagina.  Sometimes  the  condition  pertains  to 
the  lining  membrane  of  the  womb,  when  it  is  called 
Uterine  Leucorrhcea.  This  symptom  frequently  de- 
pends upon  excessive  sexual  congress,  dyspepsia, 
atony  of  the  nervous  or  muscular  system,  and  consti- 
pation. 

Treatment.  Constructive  tonics,  thorough  hygiene 
as  applied  to  dress,  diet  and  exercise,  hip-baths  and 
frequent  injections  of  tepid  salt  water,  with  a re- 
moval of  any  other  provoking  cause  that  may  exist, 
will  seldom  fail  to  bring  good  results. 

In  Uterine  Leucorrhoea,  a medicated  application 


FALLING  WOMB. 


235 


with  saturated  cotton  not  only  hastens  a cure,  but 
renders  it  more  certain. 

§ 163.  Pruritus. 

Itching  of  the  outer  and  inner  labia  is  an  annoying 
symptom.  It  is  most  frequently  the  result  of  untidy 
habits  and  an  acrid  vaginal  discharge.  In  some  cases 
the  condition  resembles  salt  rheum. 

Treatment.  Vaginal  injections  of  tepid  salt  water, 
frequent  cleansing  of  the  parts  with  Castile  soap  and 
water,  and  the  following  formula : Carbolic  acid, 
twenty  drops;  alcohol,  four  drams;  chloroform,  one 
dram ; water  sufficient  for  six  ounces  mixture.  Apply 
for  obstinate  itching. 

I i 

§ 164.  Falling  Womb. 

Caused  by  a plethoric  or  congested  condition  of 
the  womb  (hence  in  many  patients  the  symptoms  are 
increased  at  time  of  period),  by  a relaxation  of  the 
parts  which  support  the  womb,  by  a relaxed  condi- 
tion of  the  abdominal  walls,  and,  more  than  all  else , 
by  the  habit  of  suspending  clothing  from  the  loins , and 
by  corsets. 

In  descending,  the  womb  frequently  assumes  a 
lateral,  anterior,  or  posterior  tendency,  sometimes 
folding  upon  itself,  as  the  accompanying  cuts  indi- 
cate. These  complicated  misplacements  are  generally 
characterized  by  an  aggravation  of  the  usual  symp- 
toms— of  a dragging  sensation  in  the  groin,  pain  on 
inner  side  of  thighs,  and  in  the  back,  pressure  in 


236 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


lower  pelvis,  and  disinclination  to 
stand. 

Treatment.  In  eacli  case  the  cause 
must  be  discovered  and  removed, — 
all  clothing  suspended  from  the 
shoulders,  hip-baths,  and  cool  as- 
tringent injections  frequently  ap- 
plied. In  every  case  prolapsed 
bowels  accompany  a prolapsed 
womb ; hence  an  external  sup- 
porter which  helps  to  preserve  the 
natural  position  of  the  bowels  is 
good. 

Pessaries,  as  a rule,  do  more  harm 
than  good ; but  in  extreme  cases  they 
are  serviceable. 

§ 165.  Of  Parentage. 

Hannah  represents  a type  of  the 
divinest  in  woman.  Pier  intense 
sorrow  because  she  was  barren ; her 
prayer,  followed  by  her  great  joy 
and  sincere  thankfulness  when  she 
became  a mother,  are  as  natural  as 
simply  told.  Mother  is  the  only 
sacred  word  in  all  languages.  To 
prince  or  pirate,  in  giddy  youth  or 
gray  old  age,  among  all  peoples  and 
in  all  climes,  the  term  mother  is 
sainted.  I never  icnew  a man  to 
swear  l>y  his  mother. 

Before  the  child  is  born  his  destiny  has  been 


A.  Retroflexion. 
D.  Retroversion. 
C.  Anteflexion. 

B.  Anteversion. 


OF  PARENTAGE. 


237 


largely  determined.  It  is  but  the  product  of  the 
father  and  mother, — their  health,  disease,  their  tem- 
per, tone,  culture ; not  only  all  they  were,  but  all  they 
wished  to  be  and  were  at 
the  moment  of  conception, 
that  was  the  thing  begot- 
ten. Then  the  mother  and 
God  do  the  rest.  Every 
wish,  thought,  word,  has 
its  effect  on  the  offspring. 

mouthful  of  bread 
goes  to  form  the  blood 
and  brain  and  bone 
through  which  that  little 
soul  must  climb  to  Heaven 
or  sink  to  Hades. 

How  needful,  then,  that 
she  say,  intelligently 

, , . r ’ These  figures  show  the  difference  between 

Whetner  sne  Will  nave  a relaxed  and  tense  abdominal  walls.  In  the 

former,  all  the  organs  of  the  abdomen  are 

Samuel  or  an  Islunael ! ProlaPsed'  (seep.m.) 

During  pregnancy  she  should  have  rest,  recreation, 
books,  attention,  care;  in  short,  she  should  have  as 
much  of  a foretaste  of  Heaven  as  this  world  affords 
in  nine  months. 

Should  she  even  dream  of  abortion?  Yes,  if  she 
wants  her  child  to  be  a murderer,  as  she  is  in  her  heart. 

What  shall  be  the  limit  of  sexual  congress  during 
the  period  of  gestation  ? The  same  as  it  should  be 
with  any  other  perfectly  healthy  animal,  none  at  all. 
The  precocious  licentiousness  of  childhood  can  only 
be  explained  by  the  excessive  sexuality  of  parents 
before  children  are  born.  As  passion,  anger  and 


238 


DR.  EVERETT’S  - HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


cruelty  may  repeat  itself  in  your  offspring,  so  will 
temperance,  truth,  charity,  reverence  and  prayer. 

Do  you  want  help  to  reproduce  your  best  ? Then 
I will  give  you  some  wholesome  advice  which  will 
render  childbirth  a luxury.  We  will  assume  that 
you  and  your  husband  are  healthy  and  harmonious ; 
also,  that  you  have,  in  your  best  mood,  thoughtfully 
and  religiously  undertaken  your  task.  We  will  then 
write  for  you  a few  simple  rules : 

First.  Study  to  be  not  only  contented  but  cheer- 
ful. Keep  your  heart  full  of  song. 

Second.  Eight  months  before  your  child  is  born 
adopt  a system  of  morning  walks  and  regular  bath- 
ing. Every  other  morning,  at  least,  take  a general 
bath  in  water  cooler  than  the  body,  followed  by 
thorough  friction  with  a soft  towel. 

Third.  Six  mornings  of  the  week  take  a hip-bath 
of  water  as  cool  as  you  can  with  comfort,  and  as  often 
take  a vaginal  injection  with  at  least  a quart  of  water. 

Fourth.  Eat  little  or  no  flesh,  fish  or  fowl,  and  ab- 
stain during  the  last  four  months  from  bread  or  meal 
which  contains  the  hull  of  the  grain.  Let  your  diet 
during  the  last  half  of  pregnancy  be  of  rice  and  fruit 
chiefly.  By  using  nothing  which  has  phosphate  of 
lime  to  harden  the  skeleton  of  the  child,  he  will  be 
born  with  bones  so  soft  that  you  can  tie  them  in  a 
knot.  In  this  condition  the  child’s  head  and  other 
parts  will  so  accommodate  themselves  to  the  strait 
through  which  they  must  pass,  that  the  mother  will 
have,  not  a painless  labor,  but  one  so  comfortable  as 
only  to  remind  her  that  we  are  all  born  in  travail 
to  a world  where  roses  are  abundant  and  their 


OF  PARENTAGE. 


239 


fragrance  measured  only  by  our  grace  and  good 
nature. 

Fifth.  That  is  all.  Now  that  the  baby  is  born, 
and  your  arms  are  full  of  joy,  as  I see  the  tint  return- 
ing to  your  cheeks  I am  reminded  that  your  physician 
is  almost  an  intruder.  And  so  g-o-o-d-b-y-e. 


V 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Concerning  Men. 


§ 1 66.  How  Medical  Respectability  relates  Itself  to  the  Dangers  and 
Indiscretions  of  Youth. 


-HEN  I received  my  Medical  Diploma 
from  the  Old  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, I Lad  never  during  the  entire 
years  allotted  to  undergraduates 
heard  a lecture  on  the  use  or  abuse  of 
the  reproductive  organs.  I was 
clothed  with  their  highest  authority 
to  teach  and  practice  the  healing  art ; 
but  they  sent  me  forth  utterly  ignorant  of  the  true 
use , and  more  fearfully  common  abuse  of  the  sex  pow- 
er. Then,  when  a young  man  came  to  me  with 
weary  loins,  sweaty  feet,  wasted  memory,  lost  concern 
trative  power,  despondent,  tired  of  life,  victims  of 
“ wet  dreams with  dull,  glassy  eyes,  pimpled  face, 
ringing  ears,  and  clammy  hands,  and  prayed  me  for  re- 
lief, my  revered  teachers  told  me  his  disease  was  im- 
aginary, a sort  of  male  hysteria. 

When  I sought  his  history,  and  was  told  by  him 
that  onanism  had  wasted  his  powers  and  prospects, 
I went  again  to  my  teachers  'and  they  told  me  to 
“ advise  him  to  marry,”  and  give  him  tonics. 

When  years  had  made  me  wiser  than  to  seek  to 


HOW  MEDICAL  RESPECTABILITY,  ETC.  241 

“ draw  water  from  a dry  pump,”  I strongly  suspected 
my  teachers  had  learned  too  little  of  the  Curative 
art , and  that  my  young  patients  had  “ learned  too 
much  ” of  their  sexual  nature,  and  had  fatally  prac- 
ticed what  they  knew  to  their  own  destruction.  In 
years  after,  when  I was  lecturing  in  St.  Louis,  a 
young  man  of  twenty-eight  years,  related  to  one  of 
the  first  families,  consulted  me  relative  to  tertiary 
syphilis  of  three  years’  standing.  His  story  was  a 
short  one.  “ I was  troubled  with  frequent  emissions, 

and  went  for  treatment  to  Surgeon , who  gave 

me  medicine,  and  recommended  illicit  intercourse  at 
regular  intervals.  In  six  weeks  I had  this  disease, 
and  you  see  the  result.”  The  surgeon  referred  to 
was  at  the  head  of  the  medical  and  surgical  frater- 
nity in  that  large  city.  The  young  man  strictly  fol- 
lowed his  advice,  and  had  added  to  his  maladies  a 
loathsome  disease,  which  must  clothe  his  whole  life 
like  a shirt  of  Nemesis. 

The  larger  proportion  of  young  men  have  practiced 
and  suffer  the  results  of  onanism ; and  medical  men 
neither  feel  their  needs,  nor  are  they  capable  of 
meeting  them.  The  greater  proportion  of  respecta- 
ble men,  of  which  Dr.  Chambers  is  an  honorable 
representative,  totally  ignore  the  existence  of,  and': 
results  from  self-pollution.  Another  class  treat  the 
whole  affair  lightly,  having  no  deep  convictions  any 
way.  Still  another  class,  of  which  Drs.  Carpenter 
and  Acton  are  good  samples,  acknowledge  the  sin, 
and  the  need  of  a remedy. 

All,  however,  heartily  join  in  condemning  the  men 
who  reap  a rich  harvest  in  advertising  to  cure  “ Lost 
Manhood,”  etc.  qg 


242 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


Society  is  infested  by  a class  of  medical  pirates , 
whose  ignorance  of  the  healing  art  and  lack  of  hon- 
esty are  their  chief  professional  investment.  These 
appeal  to  the  army  of  sexual  sufferers,  and  manage 
to  get  large  sums  of  money  from  those  whose  pride 
would  prevent  an  exposure  of  the  wrong  done.  In 
my  mind  these  medical  shysters  and  pirates  on  the 
high  seas  are  equally  respectable.  Still  the  facts  re- 
main. Society  suffers  from  the  inefficiency  of  physi- 
cians. These  medical  scoundrels  coidd  not  ply  their 
vocation  a month  if  the  legitimate  physicians  did  their 
whole  duty.  The  common  “ Private  disease  doctor”  is 
not  half  so  great  an  enemy  to  good  society  as  the  St. 
l^ouis  surgeon , above  referred  to.  Shame  on  the  medi- 
cal men  who  waste  their  ammunition  on  the  “ quack 
system,”  when  three-fourths  of  our  entire  profession 
are  so  delinquent  in  their  duty  to  society  that  our 
acts  of  omission  work  a tenfold  greater  wrong  than 
the  robbery  actualty  perpetrated  by  the  quacks. 
Why  should  young  men  neglect  the  latter  while  we 
neither  understand  their  conditions,  nor  invite  their 
confidence. 

§ 167.  Semen — What  it  is,  and  Does. 

This  generative  fluid  is  highly  organized  and  sub- 
serves a most  important  purpose  in  the  divine  econ- 
omy concerning  man.  It  is  secreted  by  the  testes 
from  the  pubescent  period  until  very  advanced  age, 
even  to  eighty  or  ninety  years.  Its  appropriation  is 
like  its  secretion,  constant  as  the  beating  of  the 
heart.  Its  use,  aside  from  reproduction,  is  not 
clearly  demonstrated ; but  it  would  seem  to  consti- 


WISE  USE  OF  A GREAT  GIFT. 


243 


tufce  a super-vitalizing  food  for  the  nervous  system. 
At  least,  the  nervous  tone  holds  a direct  ratio  to  its 
production  and  absorption.  Castration  invariably  de- 
prives the  person  thus  mutilated  of  a strength,  clear- 
ness, aroma,  or  other  jiower  which  can  only  be  dis- 
pensed with  at  a sacrifice.  The  function  of  semen, 
either  by  its  production  taking  from  the  blood  that 
which  would,  if  left,  obstruct  the  most  exalted  phys- 
ical or  mental  expression,  or  by  furnishing  pabu- 
lum to  the  blood,  by  which  the  above  exalted 
action  is  more  liable  to  occur,  is  to  provide  a more 
powerful  expression  of  soul  and  body.  Hence,  sex 
power  gives  zest  to  reason,  efficacy  to  prayer,  clear- 
ness to  intellect,  loftiness  to  pride,  energy  to  labor, 
and  a personality  to  its  possessor  which  is  never 
found  with  wasted  virility.  As  a rule,  men  who 
are  heard  by  the  million  are  thoroughly  sexed.  It 
means  power — the  divinest  gift  pertaining  to  earthly 
existence.  He  who  can  use  great  sex  power  wisely 
is  richer  than  houses  and  lands  and  ships  and  gold 
and  silver  can  make  him. 

§ 168.  Wise  Use  of  a Great  Gift. 

The  Cardinal  Maury  said  to  Portal,  “ A man  of 
sense  past  fifty  ought  to  give  up  the  pleasures  of 
love,  for  every  time  he  indulged  in  them  he  threw 
on  his  head — or  coffin — a handful  of  earth.”  When 
on  his  death-bed,  Newton  told  Dr.  Brown  '•'‘lie  had 
never  lost  a single  drop  of  his  seminal  fluid  in  all 
his  life. ” 

When  Cicero  was  asked  if  he  still  indulged  in  the 
pleasures  of  love,  he  answered,  “ Heaven  forbid!  1 


244 


DR.  EVERETT  S HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


have  forsworn  it  as  I would  a savage  and  a furious 
monster .”  These  were  men  who  made  the  most  of 
this  life  and  themselves. 

In  youth  the  hoy  needs  every  drop  of  this  fluid  to 
secure  that  culture  and  training  of  his  powers,  the 
use  of  which  must  determine  his  status  in  this  life,  if 
it  does  not  in  the  world  to  come. 

In  his  maturity,  nature  requires  a sufficient  expen- 
diture to  secure  a following  generation.  If  a man 
expends  greatly  beyond  this,  he  kills  “the  hen  which 
lays  the  golden  egg;”  then  nature  writes  debauchee 
upon  him,  even  though  his  excessive  venery  has 
been  confined  to  his  own  marriage-bed,  and  disfigures 
his  face,  so  that  he  is  unfit  for  all  society,  save  that 
whose  breath  is  pollution.  Men  of  advanced  years 
cannot  afford  to  waste  themselves  sexually  ; and  the 
world  can  poorly  afford  a place  for  their  children 
begotten  in  a decrepitude  which  is  ever  punished  if 
found  in  the  bridal-chamber. 

§ 169,  The  Law  of  Sexual  Congress. 

“ It  is  always  wrong,”  say  some,  “ except  for  re- 
productive purposes  only.”  The  strongest  reason  for 
rejecting  the  proposition  is  derived  from  the  fact 
that,  probably,  no  healthy  man  or  woman  who  ever 
taught  it,  would  live  it  if  they  submitted  to  the  dig- 
nified relations  of  a sound,  sensible  marriage.  Moral 
platitudes  and  sentimental  clap-traps  are  too  common 
nowadays. 

A law,  to  be  worth  anything,  must  be  measurably 
practical.  This  world  would  have  been  good  long 


THE  LAW  OF  SEXUAL  CONGRESS. 


245 


ago  if  tlie  truisms  of  old  maids  and  men,  and  the 
effusions  of  young  girls  and  sophomorical  boys  could 
be  substituted  for  the  old-fashioned  decrees  of  Provi- 
dence. 

I cannot  give  a law  regulating  venery , stating  fre- 
quency, occasion,  etc.,  etc.  Social  science  speaks 
with  authority ; but  as  yet  her  mandates  cannot  be 
squared  with  the  cheap  philosophy  which  supports 
promiscuous  intercourse ; and  her  behests  are  a fear- 
ful protest  against  the  terrible  lust  which  people 
practice  simply  because  they  are  husband  and  wife. 
This  we  do  know,  however,  sex  principle  is  the  great 
source  of  executive  ability  in  any  direction,  moral, 
intellectual,  or  physical.  To  preserve  it,  hoard  yet 
wisely  use  it,  is  what  we  must  need  to  know  and  do. 
Independent  of  the  wrong  done  to  society  by  sexual 
excess,  no  man  or  woman  can  afford  to  waste  them- 
selves sexually.  Sexual  excess  will,  unfit  you  for 
any  and  every  good  work  and  way.  Then,  if  you 
would  be  clean,  strong,  or  influential,  save  your  sex 
power.  This  applies  to  every  age,  sex,  and  condi- 
tion. Let  it  be  distinctly  understood,  that  every  act 
of  venery  is,  by  its  very  nature , weakening.  When 
this  is  accepted,  five-sixths  of  sexual  wrong  will 
cease.  From  this  we  draw  the  strongest  reasons  for 
living  a 'pure  life.  Recently  my  religious  friend  se- 
verely censured  a third  person  for  social  immorality, 
and  in  the  same  breath  admitted  tenfold  the  sexual 
excess,  as  applied  to  his  own  wedded  life.  The 
latter  he  justified,  as  both  moral  and  scriptural.  Oh, 
ye  “ whited  sepulchres  ! ” Verily,  virtue  hath  its  own 
reward. 


246 


DK.  EVERETT  S HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


§ 170.  Symptoms  of  Sexual  Excess. 


These  cover  all  years  from  fourteen  to  forty  years, 


even  more.  Lallemand,  Acton,  and  Jean  Jacques 
Rousseau  have  about  completed  their  description : 

“ Haggard 
features,  thin, 
pale,  and  irri- 
table. Dizzi- 
ness, despon- 
dency, ner- 
vousness, dys- 
pepsia, con- 
stipation, 
weak  back, 
clammy  hands 
and  sweaty 
feet,  jumples 
on  the  face,  a 
glassy  expres- 


THE  OFFSPRING  OF  SENILITY  AND  NERVOUS  DECAY. 


sion 

eye, 


of  the 
wasted 


memory,  erections,  emissions,  mucous  or  seminal  dis- 
charges at  stool,  or  during  micturition,  sexual  excita- 
bility, and  overliasty  orgasm.”  These  and  countless 
others.  They  are  not  alike  in  any  given  case ; and  the 
symptoms  are  as  common  to  married  life  as  boyhood, 
and  more  frequently  found  between  twenty-two  and 
thirty-five,  than  earlier.  For  it  must  be  understood 
that  where  onanism  is  moderately  practiced  these 
symptoms  are  mildly  presented,  if  at  all.  U sually  after 
eighteen,  the  victim  ceases  his  vile  habits,  while  the 
results  follow  him  into  manhood,  and  mar  the  poor 


SECKET  VICE. 


247 


children  begotten  by  him,  unless,  as  is  often  the  case, 
dementation,  insanity,  or  suicide  claims  its  victim 
before  the  marriage-chamber  is  polluted. 


§ 171.  Secret  Vice. 


Dr.  Acton  says,  “ There  is  too  much  reason  to  fear 
that  this  scourge  of  our  youth  prevails  to  an  extent 
which  will  not  be  known  with  any  certainty  till  years 
hence  they  are  seeking  medical  relief,  too  often,  alas ! 
in  vain.”  Yet  the  same  author  wades  through  pages 
to  show  why  the 
teacher,  or  fa- 
ther, or  mother, 
or  physician,  or 
somebody  else 
should  warn  the 
poor  boy  in  time 
to  save  him ! 

Prof.  C.,  a 
teacher  of  State 
reputation,  and 
one  of  the  grand- 
est  men  in  Cin- 
cinnati, said  to 
the  writer,  “ If 
one  of  my  schol- 
ars grows  pale, 
or  careless  of 


THE  OFFSPRING  OF  PURE  AND  VIGOROUS  PARENTAGE. 


study,  or  listless,  or  allows  pimples  to  appear  on  his 
face  (he  gave  many  other  signs),  I invite  him  to  my 
room  and  instruct  him  in  a virtuous  knowledge  of  his 
sexual  nature.”  He  but  performed  a Christian  duty. 


248 


DR.  EVERETT’S  HEALTH  FRAGMENTS. 


After  many  years  as  lecturer  and  practitioner,  em- 
bracing a large  acquaintance  among  teachers,  students, 
clergymen,  and  business  men  generally,  I have  a pain- 
ful conviction  that  many  more  than  three-fourths  of 
the  American  youth  suffer  from  the  terrible  habit  of 
sexual  abuse.  Dr.  Workman,  in  a report  of  the  To- 
ronto Lunatic  Asylum,  says,  “ There  is  one  cause  of 
a physical  form,  but  which  I almost  dread  to  mention, 
which  appears  peopling  our  asylum  with  a loathsome, 
abject,  and  hopeless  multitude  of  inmates.  * * The 
result  has  been  frightful.  I hesitate  to  state  the  pro- 
portion in  which — I feel  fully  assured  or  morally 
certain — secret  vice  is  present.  * * In  hardly  any 

instance  is  it  found  that  parents  have  any  suspicion 
of  its  existence  when  they  place  the  victims  in  the 
asylum.'” 

I have  never  talked  with  a wise  superintendent  of 
an  asylum,  school  or  college,  that  did  not  recognize 
secret  vice  as  a source  of  countless  failures  and  ruined 
youth.  Its  victims  are  generally  the  clearest  intel- 
lects from  the  best  families.  The  boys  of  a lower  or 
coarser  nervous  texture  are  less  likely  to  become  its 
slaves  ; and  parents,  too  pure  and  proud  to  become 
suspicious  of  their  child,  see  him  grow  pale  and  waste, 
while  the  less  gifted  boy  has  passed  the  shoals  of 
youth  safely. 

§ 172.  Spermatorrhoea. 

This  means  involuntary  loss  of  seminal  fluid.  It 
may  occur  as  nocturnal  emissions,  discharges  with 
urine  or  at  stool,  or  a drooling  from  the  penis,  with 
signs  of  occasional  moisture. 


SPERMATORRHOEA. 


249 


Causes.  Inflammation  of  the  reproductive  organs 
from  private  disease,  masturbation,  sexual  excess,  and 
a hereditary  sensitiveness  or  excitability  of  the  pri- 
vate parts.  The  results  of  a sexually  vicious  life  are 
visited  on  the  children  as  well  as  on  the  parents  who 
indulged  them.  From  a careful  professional  observa- 
tion, I am  convinced  that  few  children  of  a lecherous 
or  over-sexual  parentage  are  free  from  super-sexual 
sensations.  This  may  show  itself  in  infancy,  when 
only  the  strictest  care  will  prevent  the  formation  of 
secret  habits  of  vice. 

Physicians  widely  differ  as  to  its  prevalence,  some 
claiming  that  it  does  not  exist,  that  there  is  no  such 
disease.  Others,  better  informed,  admit  its  preva- 
lence, but  they  think  it  is  greatly  exaggerated  as  to 
its  prevalence  and  severity  of  symptoms.  Still  an- 
other class  treat  all  forms  of  nervous  exhaustion 
under  the  title  of  spermatorrhoea. 

The  second  class  are  nearest  the  truth ; but  even 
they  have  overlooked  a most  important  feature  of  the 
subject.  The  name  is  liable  to  mislead.  A loss  of 
seed  is  often  not  present,  and  therefore  does  not  be- 
long to  the  case,  while  there  is  in  all  these  cases 
derangement  of  the  reproductive  apparatus  which 
claims  serious  attention.  In  the  latter  case  many 
physicians  stumble.  The  patient  is  convinced  of  a 
weakness  which  the  physician  says  does  not  exist, 
and  he  is  forced  to  accept  the  services  of  another 
who  admits  the  sexual  disease,  though  he  may  mis- 
name or  mistreat  it. 

The  conditions  referred  to  may  be  explained  under 
the  following  title : 


250 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


§ 173.  Sexual  Weakness,  with  Excess  and  Waste  of  Semen,  or 
Deficiency  of  the  Semen. 

Where  excess  and  involuntary  waste  of  seed  exist, 
the  term  spermatorrhoea  applies.  Here,  however,  the 
difficulty  is  not  simply  waste  of  seed,  but  a set  of 
low  nervous  conditions,  brought  on  by  causes  long 
since  past.  With  involuntary  waste  is  generally 
present  a lack  of  quality  of  semen,  depending  upon 
the  debilitated  condition  of  the  nervous  system,  and 
particularly  of  that  part  distributed  to  the  repro- 
ductive organs.  The  desired  object  is  not  simply  to 
save  the  seed  “ manufactured,”  but  to  improve  the 
strength  of  the  parts , so  the  seed  produced  shall  be 
such  as  the  system  requires.  To  secure  good  seed  and 
Jceep  it  is  the  whole  object  of  the  remedial  effort. 

Deficiency  of  Semen.  In  cases  where  there  is  no 
involuntary  waste  there  is  always  a pre-sexual  his- 
tory to  confirm  the  patient  in  his  sexual  anxieties. 
Physicians  are  very  liable  to  suppose  the  patient  has 
been  imposed  upon  by  some  quack,  or  by  his  own 
fears ; but  the  fact  is,  the  victim  is  nearer  the  truth 
than  the  doctor.  The  former  knows  the  history  of 
private  disease  or  secret  vice  which  preceded  his  pres- 
ent symptoms  of  debility.  The  indulgence,  emissions, 
“ wet  dreams,”  and  gradually  lessening  discharges, 
until  they  have  disappeared  altogether,  while  the 
self-consciousness,  despondency,  wasting  memory  and 
other  symptoms  have  as  gradually  increased.  For 
many  years  and  during  an  extensive  general  practice 
I have  carefully  considered  this  class  of  cases,  and  I 
am  strong  in  my  convictions  that  the  sins  and  suffer- 
ings of  sexuality  are  not  half  told , and  that  the  true 


IS  VIRILITY  A BURDEN  OR  A WEAKNESS?  251 

physician  has  more  to  learn  than  has  hitherto  been 
taught  concerning  this  subject. 

When  we  consider,  as  stated  elsewhere,  the  support 
to  the  nervous  system  provided  through  the  absorp- 
tion of  healthy  semen ; when  we  compare  the  entire 
horse  with  the  gelding,  and  .see  how  the  former  is 
toned,  tempered  and  strengthened  by  the  product  of 
his  testes,  in  which  alone  he  differs  from  the  gelding, 
we  need  not  wonder  at  the  weakness  or  worthlessness 
of  a mind  or  body  prostrated  by  marital  excess  or 
secret  vice.  The  man  is  much  like  the  castrated 
horse,  and  grows  anxious  when  he  is  compared  with 
his  former  self.  He  has  watched  the  departing 
freshness  of  his  face,  and  knows  his  mind  is  robbed 
of  its  royalty.  His  features  have  grown  haggard,  his 
eye  glazed,  his  hand  disgustingly  clammy,  his  venery 
spasmodic,  irritable,  incomplete,  his  hopes  gone,  his 
business  capacity  diminished.  Do  you  wonder  he  is 
.willing  to  believe  the  fault  lies  with  his  reproductive 
organs  ? It  is  not  these  alone  ; but  there  is  a debility 
that  should  not  exist,  and  it  is  folly  to  fight  the  facts, 
his  history,  and  his  faith. 

§ 174.  Is  Virility  a Burden  or  a Weakness? 

The  testes  are  a bundle  of  vessels  which  possess  an 
immense  secreting  surface.  Here  is  selected  from 
the  blood  a fluid  inhabited  by  spermatozoa,  which 
manifest  much  activity,  and  attest  the  vital  exellence 
of  the  semen.  This  fluid  is  carried  to  the  seminal 
vesicles , situated  in  the  lower  and  back  part  of  the 
bladder,  from  which  it  is  absorbed  for  super-vitaliz- 
ing purposes,  or  ejected  into  the  urethra,  and  thence 


252 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


lost  to  the  system.  Its  involuntary  loss  is  always  un- 
natural. A healthy  man  may  experience  such  a loss; 
but  indigestion,  dreams,  or  voluptuous  mental  pos- 
tures will  explain  it,  and  these  are  accidental.  The 
experience  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton,  as  well  as  observa- 
tions of  healthy  male  ani- 
mals among  horses  and 
cattle,  illustrate  the  correct 
view  of  seminal  disposition- 
In  this  important  depart- 
ment, surely  man  is  not  less 
protected  in  his  healthy  con- 
dition than  the  beast  ? 

Even  the  pure-minded 
Acton  is  led  to  a plaintive 
admission  of  the  sufferings 
of  healthy  young  men,  who 
are  determined  to  be  conti- 
nent at  whatever  expense, 
and  thus  innocently,  as  a 
man  of  science,  he  indorses 
the  maudlin  sexual  senti- 

Epididymis;  E.  Globus  Minor;  F.  Uete  meutS  0f  Midielet,  wllO  de- 
Testis ; G.  Mediastinum  ; H.  Vasa  7 

Eecta ; I.  Tunica  Vaginalis ; K.  Vasa  dared  the  male  to  be  a 
Efferentia;  L.  Globus  Major;  M.  Tunica  _ , 

Albuginea.  “ jierce  animal. 

Entire  horses  are  quiet  and  easily  managed,  until 
their  continence  is  debauched ; then  they  become 
wild  until  sexually  satiated.  So  young  men,  by  an 
inherited  super-sexual  inclination,  or  by  means  of 
obscene  thoughts  or  literature,  or  unchaste  practices, 
may  meet  sexual  temptations  difficult  to  resist ; 
but  a young  man  of  chaste  parentage,  and  a per- 


VERTICAL  SECTION  OP  THE  TESTES. 

A.  Vas  Deferens  ; B.  Spermatic  Ar- 
tery; C.  Vas  Aberrans;  D.  Body  of 


IS  VIRILITY  A BURDEN  OR  A WEAKNESS  ? 253 


fectly  pure  life,  will  have  no  difficulty  in  controlling 
his  sex  nature  until  it  may  be  lawfully  exercised. 

Even  in  married  life  this  super-sexual  apology 
largely  obtains  among  pure  men,  and  those  who 
would  not  knowingly  do  a wrong,  insist  upon  sexual 
congress,  when  to  consummate  it  causes  sacrifice  of 
inclination  and  health  on  the  part  of  their  com- 
panions. The  rea- 
son is  explained  by 
an  overfullness  of 
the  seminal  vesicles 
behind  the  bladder, 
as  indicated  by  ac- 
companying cut,  and 
consequent  uneasi- 
ness. It  is  called 
seminal  plethora ; 
and  the  sexual  de- 
sire thus  provoked, 
as  well  as  the  ex- 
perience of  relief 
after  coition  only 

proves,  as  Acton  justly  observes,  the  fact  of  past 
indiscretions.  These  conditions  exist  in  an  almost 
insane  degree  among  the  Cubans,  and  a friend  of 
the  writer,  who  has  lived  among;  and  studied  that 
strange  people  for  years,  says  : “Masturbation,  sexual 
precocity,  sexual  indulgence,  and  impotency  at  about 
thirty  characterize  the  lives  of  most  male  Cubans.” 
Abnormal  conditions  of  the  reproductive  organs  are 
so  common  that  we  must  hesitate  ere  we  declare  a 
sexual  law  from  inclination  or  experience. 


254 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


Very  frequent  desire,  rapid,  or  frequent,  or  de- 
layed, or  unsatisfactory  orgasms  are  evidence  of  un- 
natural conditions.  Emissions  after  a week  or  a 
month  of  continence  are  unnatural.  Venery  is  at  no 
time  essential  to  health , and  in  all  debilitated  con- 
ditions should  be  exercised  with  the  greatest  care. 
Men  of  large  brains,  or  a preponderance  of  the 
nervous  temperament,  must  hoard  their  sex  power  as 
the  miser  does  his  gold.  At  the  head  of  all  the 
virtues  stands  continence.  Lose  it  and  others  are 
liable  to  slip  away  unnoticed. 

§ 175.  How  Sexual  Debility  may  be  Succesfully  Treated. 

1.  Where  its  predisposition  is  strong  from  un- 
chaste parentage,  the  earliest  attention  to  cleanliness, 
hip  bathing,  an  unstimulating  diet,  and  avoidance 
of  impure  practices  and  literature,  should  be  care- 
fully and  continually  enjoined. 

2.  Masturbation , where  it  has  not  been  long  prac- 
ticed, and  when  not  accompanied  by  “ wet  dreams,” 
an  utter  abandonment  of  the  habit,  with  frequent 
cool  hip-baths  and  other  washing  of  the  parts,  will 
be  sufficient. 

3.  Debility  with  emissions.  These  may  be  limited 
as  to  time  and  quantity,  or  frequent  and  profuse. 
Encourage  muscular  exercise,  even  to  weariness. 
Partake  of  a generous,  nourishing,  and  unstimulating 
diet.  Avoid  tobacco,  coffee,  and  liquors  of  all  de- 
scriptions. Always  retire  with  an  empty  stomach. 
Sleep  on  the  side,  and  get  out  of  bed  as  soon  as  you 
awake  in  the  morning.  Take  three  to  six  cool  hip- 


HOW  SEXUAL  DEBILITY  MAY  BE  TREATED.  255 


baths  per  week  before  retiring.  You  will  probably 
need  constructive  medical  tonics,  and  local  treatment 
of  an  astringent  character;  but  the  latter  cannot  be 
a part  of  self-treatment,  and  your  general  conditions 
must  be  known  by  the  physician  who  prescribes  be- 
fore he  can  meet  the  demands  of  the  case. 

4.  Sexual  debility , with  drooling , scanty , or  no 
emissions.  These  are  still  more  difficult.  The  parts 
have  not  only  lost  the  power  to  retain,  but  to  create 
the  seed.  It  is  not  simply  spermatorrhoea,  but  a de- 
vitalized functional  condition,  which  must  be  over- 
come, or  ill  health  permanently  endured.  The  rules 
adapted  to  self-treatment  under  No.  3 apply  with 
increased  force  here.  In  all  these  cases  sexual  ex- 
citement, from  whatever  cause,  is  to  be  carefully 
avoided.  The  constructive  medical  treatment  re- 
quired in  all  these  cases  I cannot  give.  Inefficient 
treatment  discourages  the  patient,  and  does  him  no 
good.  From  years  of  experience,  I am  satisfied  that  4 
these  cases  are  perfectly  amenable  to  judicious  treat- 
ment, but  that  they  require  a care,  skill,  and  knowl- 
edge which  cannot  be  imparted  to  or  carried  out  by 
the  patient  himself.  The  writer  has  cheerfully  placed 
the  hygienic  or  water-cure  treatment  for  these  de- 
bilities before  his  reader  in  that  part  of  this  section 
marked  No.  3 ; but  he  is  well  aware  that  the  worser 
cases  of  sexual  debility  are  never  treated  successfully 
without  more  than  mere  hygiene.  Much  more  might 
be  told,  but  I have  long  passed  the  limit  of  pages 
allotted  to  me  in  this  volume.  The  attention  of  the 
reader  is  invited  to  a volume  I hope  to  find  time  to 
write  on  these  topics  ere  I grow  much  older,  or  to 


256 


dr.  everett’s  health  fragments. 


my  public  lectures  during  the  winter  months.  If  a 
tithe  of  the  good  purposes  which  I have  tried  to 
plant  in  preceding  pages  take  root  with  the  reader, 
I may  safely  retire  here  and  now. 


DR.  EVERETT’S  INHALER, 

for  the  treatment  of  all  diseases  of  Throat  and  Lungs. 

The  attention  of  Druggists,  Physicians,  and 
Invalids  is  specially  invited  to  the  above  Inhaler 
for  treatment  of  all  diseases  of  Throat  and  Lungs ; 
and  also  to  the  Fountain  Syringe,  represented  in 
“ Health  Fragments,”  page  171. 

No  treatment  for  Catarrh,  Throat  ail,  Bronchitis, 
Consumption,  or  Asthma,  is  complete  without  the 
equivalent  of  one  or  both  of  these  instruments. 

The  profession  or  trade  can  be  supplied  with 
them  upon  liberal  terms. 

Address, 

GEO.  H.  EVEBETT,  M.D., 

P.  O.  Box,  1812, 

New  York  City. 


To  the  Public  : 

This  book  was  not  written  to  advertise  or 
secure  practice.  Each  subject  is  treated  -whole- 
somely and  with  a desire  to  benefit  the  reader. 
If  you  have  read  three  pages  you  must  see  they 
were  written  to  benefit  you,  and  not  to  attract 
your  attention  to  a specialty  or  a nostrum. 

Yet  there  are  those  who  would  like  to  see  me 
after  reading  this  book.  I shall  be  happy  to  advise 
you.  My  office  hours  are  from  10  a.  m.  to  2 p.  m. 

From  October  until  May,  I shall  be  engaged  in 
lecturing  in  the  principal  cities.  If  not  convenient 
for  you  to  see  me  at  my  office,  I may  assist  you 
by  correspondence.  If  you  apply  by  letter,  state 
name.  age,  sex.  occupation,  digestion,  condition  of 
nose,  throat,  chest,  and  such  other  symptoms  as 
seem  important.  If  a fuller  statement  is  required, 
I will  send  you  a series  of  questions  to  answer, 
after  which  I can  tell  you  what  is  best  for  you 
to  do.  Enclose  stamp  if  you  expect  a reply. 

Geo.  H.  Evekett,  M.  D., 

P.  O.  Box,  1812, 

Xew  York  City. 


PART  II 


EMBRACING 


DRESS,  HEREDITY,  CHILD-TRAINING,  KITCHEN 
AND  DINING-ROOM  ETHICS. 


“We  are  strongest  in  spontaneous  moods,  and  by  contenting  ourselves  with 
obedience,  we  become  divine.” 


PART  II. 


0*1 


H / 


* C VJ 


V 


/ <\Y> 


l'-  m ^ , o> 

\ y ^ °V' 


>#* 

Vv-' 


•?«  A°'  * 


2. 


CHAPTER  I. 


:f6^)3 


DRESS. 


>KE  dress  of  women  as  now  arranged,  is 
more  productive  of  uterine  disease  than  all 
other  causes  combined. 

To  a sympathetic  beholder  the  very  sight  of 
a woman,  in  her  ordinary  street-dress,  is  fa- 
tiguing. The  long,  heavily  - trimmed  skirt, 
the  long  waist  tightly  belted,  the  peculiar  de- 
formity of  lack  which  is  seen  in  more  than 
three-quarters  of  the  corseted  women  and  girls 
found  in  our  streets  and  houses,  country  or 
city,  are  sources  of  anguish  to  any  human  being,  who  through 
reason  or  imagination  can  see  below  the  surface  of  things. 

Most  women  experience  the  disastrous  results  of  our  ordi- 
nary dress,  but  are  unequal  to  finding  a door  of  escape  from 
them. 

It  is  proposed  to  briefly  state  three  principles,  which,  if  at- 
tended to,  will  eventually  lead  us  “into  green  pastures  and 
beside  still  waters.” 


2.  The  three  corner-stones  upon  which  must  “ hang 
all  the  law  and  the  prophets  ” in  respect  of  the  dress  question, 
are : 

First.  Every  ounce  of  clothing  must,  literally,  hang  from  the 
shoulders. 

Second.  The  waist  must  be  so  large  that  upon  taking  a deep 


o 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRITE  LIFE. 


inspiration  the  fingers  may  be  easily  passed  between  the  dress 

and  person  at  the  belt,  directly 
below  the  armpit. 

Third.  The  clothing  must  be 
so  equally  distributed  that  the 
tops  of  the  shoulders  and  chest, 
the  arms  to  the  wrists,  and  the 
part  from  the  knee  to  the  heel 
may  be  clad  as  warmly  as  the 
rest  of  the  body. 

These  principles,  ingeniously 
embodied  in  practice,  give  an 
enviable  freedom  of  movement 
and  ease  of  carriage  that  can 
never  be  approached  by  the 
movements  of  a body  swathed 
and  hampered  by  a mass  of 
clothing  about  the  loins. 

3.  The  best  Material  for  Underclothing  is,  un- 
doubtedly, a combination  of  woolen  and  canton  flannel 
garments.  Canton  flannel  (the  heavy  unbleached  English 
quality),  has  advantages  in  the  way  of  washing,  which  com- 
mend it  over  all  other  fabrics,  for  underwear.  The  chief  objec- 
tions to  wool  flannel  are  its  unwashableness  and  its  ugliness. 

However,  for  the  comfort  of  the  over-fastidious,  it  may  be 
said,  the  last  of  the  chief  objections  is  obviated  in  the  plan  re- 
commended by  the  writer,  since  it  is  entirely  hidden  by  the 
oversuit  of  canton  flannel. 

4.  How  many  Undergarments  should  he  worn 
in  Cold  Weather? — It  is  necessary  to  ask  and  answer 
this  question,  lest  the  facts  in  the  case  be  misunderstood. 

From  the  1st  of  November  until  the  1st  of  May,  three  suits 
OF  THE  “ COMBINATION-  GARMENTS  ” should  be  loom. 

First.  A full  suit  of  wool  flannel  from  neck  to  heels  and 
wrists. 

Second.  A full  suit  of  heavy,  unbleached  English  canton 
flannel,  entii’elv  covering  the  suit  of  wool  flannel,  or  first  suit. 


Fig.  1. 


SHALL  DRAWERS  BE  CLOSED  OYER  THE  BODY  ? 3 

Third.  Alight  suit  of  pretty  muslin  extending  to  knee  and 
wrist,  as  indicated  by  Fig.  No.  2.  If  over  all  these  a lady  de- 
sires to  adorn  herself  by  an  exquisite  chemise,  which  buttons  in 
front  from  top  to  bottom,  there  is  no  objection  to  her  doing  so. 
She  will  be  neither  warmer  nor  colder  by  the  addition. 

5.  The  Chemise  is  simply  an  ornamental  garment,  and 
may  be  put  on  or  off  according  to  the  taste  of  the  wearer.  Its 
weight  is  no  objection,  coming  as  it  does  from  the  shoulders, 
while  its  not  ungraceful  drapery  may  reconcile  the  wearer  to 
underlying  flannel  and  common  sense. 

Nature  often  leaves  traces  of  pre-barbaric  states,  as  it  were, 
to  remind  us  of  advancement.  May  not  the  chemise  be  regarded 
as  the  vanishing  point  of  a savage’s  blanket,  in  all  its  stages  of 
arm-holes,  gathering-string,  Roman  toga,  etc.  ? 

6.  Shall  Drawers  he  closed  over  the  Dody? — 
Drawers  should  be  closed  over  the  body  and  below  the  knee. 
The  sense  of  protection  and  modesty  which  the  wearers  of  the 
“combination”  style  of  underclothing  (see  Fig.  2)  imparts, 
might  be  fairly  reckoned  as  therapeutic,  if,  as  a recent  scientist 
argues,  a wholesome  moral  state  reacts  beneficially  upon  the 
physical  state. 

From  long  observation,  and  from  a frequent  comparison  of 
views  among  cultivated  women,  the  writer  is  convinced  that 
the  female  body  should  be  robed  with  perfect  personal  security. 
Colds  from  standing  in  draughts  of  air,  and  various  unavoidable 
exposures,  are  thereby  obviated.  There  is  no  scientific  basis 
for  the  sentimental  considerations  which  induce  some  male  and 
female  physicians  to  commend  open  undergarments  for  women, 
while  there  is  every  reason  suggested  by  comfort  and  delicacy 
for  insisting  that  undergarments  must  be  closed. 

I know  of  no  more  pitiable  object  than  a woman  draped  in 
“ curtain  drawers,”  flying  skirts,  and  flimsy  gaiters,  battling 
with  a raw  March  wind!  I have  often  had  the  instinctive  feel- 
ing that  I would  like  to  clasp  the  ruffled  and  disturbed  drapery 
closely  about  its  wearer’s  knees,  lest  the  cold  wind  should  touch 
her  shrinking  body. 

But  with  alternate  layers  of  the  neatly-fashioned  wool  and 


4 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TliUE  LIFE. 


Pig.  2. 


* Patterns  for  Mrs.  Everett’s  “ Combination  Garments,”  with  full 
descriptive  cuts,  and  directions,  by  which  an  ordinary  seamstress  can  put 
them  together,  without  difficulty,  will  be  sent  to  any  address,  on  receipt 
of  one  dollar.  Address,  Susan  Everett,  M.  D., 

P.  O.  Box,  1812,  New  York  City. 


WHAT  KIND  OF  SKIRTS  SHOULD  BE  WORN. 


5 


canton  flannel  armor  extending  beneath,  the  hose  to  boot-heel, 
and  beneath  the  muslin  outside  “ Combination  Garment  ” 
(see  Fig.  2),  to  neck  and  wrists,  a lady  may  fairly  defy  the 
elements  upon  the  coldest  winter  day.  And  with  the  addition 
of  long-legged  rubber  boots,  herself  or  daughters  may  safely 
enjoy  their  “ constitutional  ” walk  upon  the  sloppiest  day. 

7.  What  kind  of  Skirts  should  be  Worn? — It 

is  first  needful  to  state  what  kind  of  skirts  should  not  be 
worn. 

No  balmoral,  felt,  flannel,  or  quilted  shirt  should  he  worn. 
Balmoral  and  felt  are  too  heayy  for  those  who  prize  sound  backs, 
sides,  and  an  undisturbed  uterus. 

Flannel  skirts  are  not  needed.  In  the  style  of  clothing  here 
recommended  it  has  been  my 
object  to  avoid  shirts  just  so 
far  as  practicable.  The  warm, 
close-fitting  “ combination 
garments  ” will  be  found  to 
do  away  with  the  old-fash- 
ioned “ flannel  petticoats  ” 
which,  unfortunately,  our 
mothers  clung  to  so  tena- 
ciously, and  for  the  wear- 
ing of  which,  buttoned 
tightly  over  kidneys  and 
bowels,  many  of  us,  to-day, 
are  suffering.  As  for  a quilt- 
ed skirt,  I confess  to  an 
immediate  lowering  of  re- 
spect for  a woman  who  wears 
one.  Its  liable,  and  I may 
add  probable  uncleanliness 
after  the  first  two  months 
of  wear,  are  sufficient  to  con-  suspenders  and  skirt  attached. 

sign  it  to  oblivion.  What  shall  be  said,  then,  of  its  condition 
after  being  worn  twelve  months ! Let  a lady  try  to  wear  a 
white  skirt,  without  washing,  for  six  or  twelve  months,  and 


Fig.  3. 


6 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


note  its  condition,  before  she  invests  in  one  of  Stewart’s  quilted 
skirts.  Too  often  the  indescribable , insufferable,  if  not  diaboli- 
cal odors  which  so  often  salute  the  sensitive  nostril,  come  from 
clothing  too  long  worn. 

So  we  condemn  the  quilted  skirt  because  of  its  inevitable 
uncleanliness,  though  its  weight  and  heat  about  the  loins  would- 
otherwise,  be  a sufficient  objection. 

A skirt  made  of  washable  material  is  the  best.  It  should  be  gored 
at  the  top,  and  supported  by  suspenders,  or  buttoned  to  a waist. 

Each  lady  should  make  it  a study  to  avoid  skirts  as  far  as  it  - 
is  practicable  to  do  so.  One  stiffened  white  underskirt,  with 
the  customary  dress  skirt  and  overdress,  are  sufficient  for  appear- 
ance and  comfort. 

8.  Corsets  an  unmitigated  evil. — If  tight,  they 
compress  the  ribs  and  thereby  force  the  abdominal  and  pelvic 

viscera  into  abnormal  posi- 
tions ; if  loose,  they  still 
injure  by  their  stiffness, 
and  their  consequent  un- 
happy effect  upon  the  great 
muscles  of  the  back,  sides 
and  abdomen.  A corseted 
waist  is  not  unlike  a splin- 
tered arm  in  one  respect. 
The  muscles  beneath  the 


Fig.  4. 


corsets  and  splints  are 
alike  made  weak  and 
powerless.  All  shrewd 
physicians  know  too 
wrell  that  weak  sides 
and  abdominal  mus- 
cles, mean,  ere  long, 
prolapsed  bowels  and 
uterus.  No  genuinely 
intelligent,  conscien- 
tious woman  will  tol- 
erate corsets  upon 
herself  or  daughters. 


Fig.  5. 


HOW  UNDERCLOTHING  SHOULD  BE  SUSPENDED.  < 


9.  About  ( farters . — Every  system  for  suspending  hose 
from  the  belt  or  shoulders  has  proved  a failure.  The  weight 
of  such  skirts  as  women  are  compelled  to  wear  are  sufficient 
for  an  ordinary  pair  of  shoulders,  without  the  added  nuisance 
of  holding  in  place  drooping  stocking-legs! 

With  the  “ Combination  garments garters  are  not  called 
for.  The  hose  is  mostly  supported  by  being  drawn  over  the 
neatly-fitting  drawers  of  the  undergarments.  The  further 
support  required  may  be  Fig  g 

found  in  a safety-pin  at  the  r 
outside  of  the  limb  below 
the  knee. 

Should  these  means 
prove  insufficient  for  chil- 
dren, the  stocking  should 
be  seamed  (by  hand,  after 
the  old  fashion  of  our 
mothers),  for  six  inches 
above  the  knees.  This  me- 
thod will  secure  for  the 
next  generation  handsome- 
ly formed  legs  and  warm 
feet. 

For  adults  it  is  better 
to  rely  upon  the  safety-pin 
below  the  knee,  as  that  will 
prove  satisfactory  if  the 
garments  are  properly  ad- 
justed. See  Eig.  2.  A WAIST  TO  which  setets  MAT  be  buttoned. 


10.  Uotv  Underclothing  should  be  suspen  ded. — 

The  Combination  garments  are  all  made  from  the  shoulders, 
and  thus  each  garment  is  its  own  suspension. 

All  underskirts  should  be  buttoned  to  neat  white  suspend- 
ers, which  cross  high  in  the  back  and  pass  over  the  shoulder 
to  the  belt,  as  in  Fig.  3.  If  suspenders  are  not  desired,  a 
pretty  waist  may  be  substituted.  The  reader  is  referred  to 
Fig.  6 for  a representation  of  the  waist  and  skirt  buttoned 
thereto. 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


The  dress  skirt  should  alivays  be  sewed  to  a well-fitted  lin- 
ing. Dressmakers  who  send  from  their  workrooms  heavy  skirts 
sewed  to  belts,  do  not  consider  the  comfort,  convenience  or 
health  of  their  patrons.  What  is  more  distressing,  if  not  hu- 
miliating, than  to  see  a fashionable  skirt,  weighing  four  pounds, 
dragging  by  a belt  to  the  loins  of  a feeble  woman,  who  twice 
each  week  must  needs  present  herself  to  a physician  for  the 
purpose  of  going  through  some  mysterious  manipulations  in 
the  way  of  replacing  her  disarranged  organs,  etc. 


11.  Shall  a woman  wear  Pads,  Belts,  or  Bus- 
tles ? — If  the  padding  consist  of  light  wire  shapes  fitted  by 
hand  to  the  bust,  and  of  a convex  form,  no  harm  can  come 
from  their  use.  Belts  are  bad.  Their  habitual  use  will  even- 
rig.  7.  tually  derange 

liver,  stomach, 
and  spleen ; 
while  they 
must  lessen 
respiratory 
power. 

All  bustles 
except  wire  or 
hoops  are  to  be 
avoided.  The 
latter  attached 
to  a suspender 
is  really  an  ad- 
vantage, in  that  it  raises  the  skirts  from  the  back  which,  other- 
wise, would  become  overheated  from  the  numerous  folds  in  the 
outside  skirts.  In  short,  belts,  bustles,  and  pads  may  be  worn 
when  they  do  not  cripple  movements,  spoil  form,  or  superin- 
duce heat. 


AN  UNBELTED  WAIST. 


A BELTED  WAIST. 


12.  The  Old  System  of  Woman’s  Dress  Com- 
pared with  the  New.— In  the  old  or  ordinary  style  of 
woman’s  dress,  scarcely  anything  is  more  conspicuous  than 
the  lack  of  common  sense  shown  in  the  arranging  and  getting 
together  a suit  or  set  of  clothing,  or  than  the  multiplicity  of 


THE  OLD  SYSTEM  OE  WOMEN’S  DRESS.  9 

garments  put  on,  and  the  many  motions  a woman  must  of 
necessity  make,  while  going  through  the  process  of  dressing. 
Every  movement  of  the  hand  requires  nervous  power  for  its 
performance.  When,  by  a flight  of  the  imagination,  one  calcu- 
lates the  thousands  and  thousands  of  unnecessary  dressing 
movements  a woman  must  make  during  ten  years  of  her  life, 
is  it  any  wonder  that  nineteen-twentieths  of  the  women  of  to- 
day have  exhausted  nervous  systems  ? 

A lady,  with  muffled  groan,  narrated  to  me,  not  tong  since, 
a single  morning’s  dressing  of  herself. 

After  adjusting  nearly  one  pound  of  solid  braided  hair  on  the 
top  of  her  head,  which  was  held  in  place  by  about  thirty  hair 
pins,  and  adorned  by  a couple  of  bows  and  heavy-topped  comb, 
she  took  a few  long  breaths  while  she  reconnoitered  the  debris 
of  last  night’s  discarded  habiliments,  and  speculated  as  to  how 
she  could  quickest  appropriate  them. 

First,  she  drew  on  her  knit  drawers,  next  clasped  her  corset 
about  her,  then  came  in  order  a knit  shirt,  chemise,  stockings, 
garters,  muslin  drawers,  two  flannel  underskirts,  hoops,  bus- 
tle, two  more  skirts,  pads,  corset  cover,  dress  skirt,  overskirt, 
basque,  belt  (and  ornaments  attached  thereto),  cuffs,  bracelets, 
rings,  collar,  neck-tie,  pin,  earrings,  watch  and  chain,  various 
black  necklaces  and  ornaments. 

This  lady  yras  a church  member,  attended  prayer-meetings 
regularly,  and  was  “ benevolent.” 

This  dress  process  must  be  gone  through  with  three  hundred 
and  sixty-five  and  a quarter  times  per  year,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  three  hundred  and  sixty-five  and  a quarter  afternoons 
that  she  must  dress  for,  or  of  the  every  other  dressing  that 
must  be  performed ! Where  is  the  use  of  talking  about  open- 
ing up  avenues  of  labor  for  women,  while  these  stupendous 
daily  dressings  must  be  gone  through  with  ? It  seems  to  me 
it  were  a mercy  to  her  to  close  up  aveuues  of  labor,  lest  with 
all  that  even  ordinai’y  dress  calls  for,  she  may  be  in  danger  of 
working  herself  to  death ! 

Let  us  for  a moment  analyze  this  woman’s  dress,  which,  by- 
the-by,  is  a fair  sample,  corresponding  to  which  the  average 
woman  adorns  herself.  First,  she  has  but  two  thicknesses  of 


10 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TREE  LIFE. 


covering  over  her  leg,  from  the  knee  to  the  ankle;  second,  but 
three  thin  covers  over  the  arm,  and  over  the  top  of  the  chest ; 
while  about  the  waist,  where  one  needs  far  less  than  about  the 
ankle  or  arm,  she  has  two  drawer  bands,  four  underskirt  bands, 
two  bauds  for  hoop  and  bustle,  two  bands  for  skirt  and  over- 
skirt  (and  these  bands,  as  all  women  know,  except  hoop  and 
bustle,  are  made  of  two  thicknesses  of  fabric),  to  say  nothing 
of  the  two  thicknesses  that  form  the  Corset,  the  knit  flannel 
waist,  the  chemise,  basque,  and  belt,  in  all  making  twenty-four 
layers  of  cloth  around  the  waist — to  say  nothing  of  all  the 
gathers  in  the  various  skirts ! As  an  antidote  to  this  picture, 
I ask  my  reader  to  again  study  the  beautiful  and  economical 
arrangement  of  clothing  in  Fig.  2,  which  is  herein  presented, 
then  judge  for  herself,  which  system  she  will  choose — that 
which  exhausts  and  enfeebles  her  frame,  or  that  which  shields 
and  ennobles  it  ? 

13.  Dressing  for  the  Feet. — The  man  who  can  clothe 
a foot  handsomely  is  more  than  a mechanic ; he  is  an  artist. 
I have  met  but  few,  and  they  were  geniuses. 

Corns  and  enlarged  joints  embrace  most  of  the  local  maladies 
of  the  feet.  The  first  are  caused  by  tight-fitting  boots  and 
shoes,  and  are  cured  by  frequently  soaking  the  feet  in  wartn 
water,  until  the  thickened  cuticle  becomes  soft,  and  a continued 
use  of  a loose  and  well-fitting  boot. 


CHAPTER  II. 


HEREDITARY  GENIUS. 


IIEN  Gallon  wrote  “ Hereditary 
Genius”  he  forgot  his  mother,  and  the 
mother  of  each  great  mind  that  he  used  to 
enrich  his  pages.  He  could  see  the  son  in  a 
sire ; hut  the  patient,  prayerful,  untiring 
mother,  who  raised  the  seedling,  and  watered 
and  pruned,  and  finally  bent  the  twig,  passed 
from  his  remembrance. 

The  history  of  men  as  mothers  have  made 
them,  is  yet  to  be  written.  Given  a child  or 
man,  with  the  u pauper  vice  of  lying,”  it  will  not  be  difficult 
to  find  some  ignoble,  undeveloped  human  creature  who  has 
mothered  it  or  him. 

A woman  will  bear  children  of  a quality  corresponding  to 
her  age  and  moral  development. 


15.  What  a mother  has  can  she  yive  to  her  off- 
spring— not  more. — Has  she  age,  experience,  maturity? 
Is  she  strong  through  suffering ; wise  from  observation ; of 
flinty  honesty,  from  long-trained  convictions;  enthusiastic 
through  the  possession  of  an  exalted  faith ; has  she  “ walked 
with  God  ” for  twenty  years  ? Then  her  son  may  be  a Samuel, 
or  even  more.  She  has  the  material  whereof  heroes  are  made. 

Is  she  young,  ardent,  inexperienced,  filled  with  impulse, 
hope,  ambition,  courage?  Yet,  her  child  will  be  born  without 
that  which  time  would  have  given  the  mother.  He  will  not 
be  born  great.  His  mother  had  only  youth,  and  could  not 
give  the  nobler  qualities  which  come  only  with  maturity. 

What  a mother  has  can  she  give  to  her  offspring — not 
more. 


12 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


An  example,  as  given  by  Macaulay,  is  James  I.  of  England, 
and  'VI.  of  Scotland,  “the  offspring  of  Mary  Queen  of  Scots, 
and  the  handsome,  inconstant,  base,  unmanly  Darnley.” 
Mary  was  twenty-three,  Darnley  nineteen  years  of  age.  King 
James  exhibited  all  the  youthful  follies  of  both  parents  until 
his  court  became  a byword  for  fickleness  and  dishonor. 

The  Duke  of  Reichstadt,  son  of  Napoleon  I.,  by  his  second 
wife,  Maria  Louise,  is  an  instance  of  the  product  of  an  unde- 
veloped mother,  of  strong  propensities  and  weak  intellect,  un- 
accompanied by  moral  sentiments.  Not  that  the  children  of 
a young  mother  are  necessarily  weak  morally,  but  that  having 
only  the  impulses  of  a girl  she  is  less  liable  to  transmit  the 
nobler  qualities. 

10.  That  which  dominates  in  the  mother  be- 
comes the  leading-  characteristic  of  the  being  conceived. 
Vivacity,  ardor,  immaturity,  characterize  the  sixteen,  eighteen, 
and  twenty  year  old  mother,  and  so  her  children.  These 
qualities  may  also  characterize  the  mature  woman  who  assumes 
motherhood  ; but,  with  them  come  discipline,  wisdom,  the 
sway  of  the  spiritual  elements,  combined  with  a profound  sense 
of  responsibility  to  Grod  for  the  making  or  marring  of  a human 
soul.  From  the  latter  we  get  a consecrated  nobility  for  the 
new  being  which  cannot  come  from  sources  less  precious. 

The  biographers  of  gifted  men,  though  often  reticent  respect- 
ing maternal  transmission,  do  now  and  then  disclose  important 
proofs,  showing  that  the  older  the  mother  is,  other  things 
being  equal,  the  richer  are  her  bequests  through  offspring. 

17.  It  seems  strange  that  Bible  Headers  and 

physiologists  have  not  discovered  that  the  influential  men  of 
the  Hebrew  nation  sprang  almost  exclusively  from  the  loins  of 
mature  or  aged  women. 

When  G-od  makes  a patriarch  He  summons  a woman,  not  a 
girl ! Sarah  had  long  since  arrived  at  the  years  of  understand- 
ing when  she  fondled  Tsaac;  Jacob  and  Esau  were  the  children 
of  adult  age.  And  who  can  forget  that  Syriau  grandmother  at 
Pa'dan  Aram,  taking  leave  of  her  daughter  Rebekah,  while  she 


nature’s  laws  are  simple. 


13 


uttered  that  prophetic  injunction,  “Be  thou  the  mother  of 
thousands  of  millions,  and  let  thy  seed  possess  the  gate  of 
those  which  hate  them.” 

Jacob  was  of  choice  as  well  as  mature  stock.  We  almost 
feel  the  far-off  spirit  of  that  heroic  grandmother,  and  the  near- 
by sweetness  of  the  gentle  father  in  his  involuntary  exclama- 
tion, “Surely  the  Lord  is  in  this  place,  and  I knew  it  not;  this 
is  none  other  but  the  house  of  God : and  this  is  the  gate  of 
Heaven!”1  Who  can  tell  what  confluent  ancestral  streams 
unite  to  produce  the  seemingly  accidental  greatness  of  men 
that  now  and  then  bursts  forth  upon  the  world ! 

18.  Nature’s  Laws  are  Simple  : but,  when  known, 
explain  with  clearness  the  most  complicated  appearances. 

Further  on,  Ave  find  Reuben.  “Unstable  as  water”  was 
Leah’s  first-born,  while  J udah,  the  “ lion’s  Avhelp,  from  whom 
the  sceptre  shall  not  depart,”  Avas  her  fourth  son.  Joseph,  “a 
fruitful  bough,  whose  branches  run  over  the  wall,”  Avas  almost 
a child  of  old  age.  Moses  and  Aaron  Avere  later  born  chil- 
dren— Moses  the  youngest.  David  was  the  eighth  son.  Solo- 
mon Avas  the  child  of  maturity,  with  a “loose  screw”  in  his 
immediate  origin  ; hence  his  Avorldly  wisdom  and  his  spiritual 
poverty.  In  his  misdemeanors  Ave  see  a stupendous  illustration 
of  befouled  motherhood,  of  intellect  without  morality.  His 
glory  Avas  a sham!  Never  Avas  there  a more  perfect  expression 
of  the  Avorthlessness  of  human  life,  unillumed  by  the  divine 
element,  than  Solomon’s  meditations  in  Ecclesiastes!  Farther 
down  appears  the  beloved  Timothy.  Paul’s  words,  as  usual, 
are  pregnant  with  suggestion,  Avhere  he  says,  “When  I call  to 
remembrance  the  unfeigned  faith  that  is  in  thee,  which  dwelt 
first  in  thy  gradmother  Lois,  and  thy  mother  Eunice  ; and  I 
am  persuaded  in  thee  also.” 

It  will  be  instructive  just  here  to  remember  another  grand- 
mother, that  Ave  may  further  realize  how  important  is  the 
mother  line  in  ancestry.  Julia  is  not  like  unto  Jacob’s  Syrian 
ancestress,  Avho  looms  forth  in  the  domestic  drama  at  Padan 
Aram,  nor  yet  resembles  the  faithful  Lois  of  Timothy.  She 
was  “a  Avoman  of  dissolute  conduct,  libidinous  passions,  and 


14 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


abandoned  infamy.”  Her  most  prominent  child  was  Caligula, 
who  wished  the  Roman  people  had  but  one  neck,  that  he  might 
at  one  blow  destroy  the  whole  race.  Grandmother  Julia’s 
grandson  (borne  by  the  violent- tempered  Agrippina)  was  Nero, 
in  whom  savage  cruelty  seems  to  have  fruited!  History  fur- 
nishes no  parallel  to  this  human  monster,  who  descended  from 
the  infamous  Roman  Julia. 

19.  “ Look  upon  this  Picture  then  upon  that 

— From  Grandmother  Lois  and  Julia  to  Timothy  and  Nero ! 

Henry  IV.  was  the  most  beloved  of  all  French  rulers.  He 
was  also  the  beloved  grandchild  of  Margaret  of  Navarre  and 
Henry  D’Albret. 

Lord  Bacon,  probably  possessing  the  most  powerful  mind 
that  has  yet  appeared  upon  the  earth,  except  Moses  and  Aris- 
totle, exemplifies  the  intellectual  worth,  culture,  and  maturity 
of  both  father  and  mother. 

Anne,  the  mother  of  Francis  Bacon,  was  educated  like  a man. 
Her  father,  Sir  Anthony  Cook,  gave  her,  at  night,  the  lessons 
he  had  given  the  prince  (to  whom  he  ivas  tutor,  under  Edward 
VI.)  during  the  day.  Anne  Cook  became  “ distinguished  as  a 
linguist  and  theologian.”  “ She  corresponded  in  Greek  with 
Bishop  Jewel,  and  translated  his  Apologia,  from  Latin,  so  cor- 
rectly that  neither  he  nor  Archbishop  Parker  could  suggest  a 
single  alteration.  She  also  translated  a series  of  sermons  from 
the  Tuscan  of  Bernardo  Ochino.”  “ Her  parental  care  of  her 
two  sons,  Anthony  and  Francis  (mark  Francis,  the  most  noted, 
was  also  the  youngest ),  two  of  the  most  extraordinary  men  of 
her  time,  or,  indeed,  of  any  time,  is  possibly  the  best  test  of  her 
powers.”  This  was  deeply  felt  by  Francis,  who,  in  his  will, 
says,  “For  my  burial,  I desire  that  it  may  be  in  St.  Michael’s 
church,  near  St.  Alban’s — there  was  my  mother  buried.” 

In  Birch’s  Memoirs  of  the  Reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  may  be 
seen  “ the  extraordinary  vigilance  used  by  Lady  Anne  in  super- 
intending the  conduct  of  her  sons  long  after  they  were  adults.’’ 
“Sir  Nicholas  Bacon,”  continues  Macauley,  “was  no  ordinary 
man;  but  the  fame  of  the  father  was  thrown  into  shade  by  that 
of  his  son.”  “ Sir  Nicholas  Bacon,”  says  Lloyd,  “ was  a man 


TWO  HISTOKICAL  FAMILIES. 


15 


full  of  wit  and  wisdom.  He  had  the  deepest  reach  of  any  man 
at  the  council-table ; the  knottiest  head  to  pierce  into  difficul- 
ties ; the  most  comprehensive  judgment  to  surmount  the  merits 
of  a case ; the  strongest  memory  to  recollect  all  the  circum- 
stances at  one  view ; the  greatest  patience  to  debate  and  con- 
sider, and  the  clearest  reason  to  urge  anything  that  came  in  his 
way  in  the  courts  of  Chancery.  His  favor  was  eminent  with 
his  Queen,  and  his  alliance  strong  with  her  statesmen.  He  was 
Lord  Keeper  of  the  Great  Seal  in  the  time  of  Elizabeth.  He 
was,  in  a word,  father  of  his  country  and  of  Sir  Francis  Bacon.” 
It  would  seem  that  with  -so  gifted  a mau,  great  qualities 
would  have  been  transmitted  to  offspring  irrespective  of  the 
quality  of  the  mother.  Let  us  see  what  biography  says : 

“By  Sir  Nicholas  Bacon’s  first  marriage  he  had  six  children! 
Those  and  the  mother  who  bore  them  passed  into  oblivion, 
leaving  no  trace  except  the  record — ‘They  were!’  Had  Sir 
Nicholas  possessed  a less  ‘knotty  head’  in  his  selection  of  a 
second  wife,  and  done  as  most  Amei'icans  do,  wedded  a girl, 
young  enough  to  be  his  daughter,  doubtless  another  ‘They 
were  ’ might  have  been  recorded  for  his  progeny.  Fortunately 
he  wedded  Anne  Cook,  who  was  between  thirty  and  forty  years 
of  age,  and  the  two  most  .extraordinary  men  of  England  were 
the  issue  of  this  union.” 

20.  Milton,  upon  the  other  hand,  married  fool- 
ishly. Though  great  as  a poet,  he  was  in  his  domestic  relations 
harsh  and  intolerant.  From  some  constitutional  or  educa- 
tional deficiency,  Milton  held  low  views  of  women.  He  did 
not  respect  women.  As  a consequence,  he  made  three  matri- 
monial mistakes,  and  was  the  victim  of  three  divorces.  He 
unluckily  married  uncultivated,  stupid  women,  and  his  fine 
genius  was  lost  to  his  offspring,  because  united  to  women  of 
low  temperament.  His  sole  surviving  descendant  is  to-day 
keeping  a petty  grocer’s  shop ! 

21.  Two  Historical  Families  in  our  own  country, 
the  Edwardses  and  Wesleys,  have  had  maternal  founders. 

“ Mrs.  Edwards,  the  mother,  who  received  a superior  education 
in  Boston,  was  tall,  dignified,  and  commanding  in  her  appear- 


16 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


ance;  affable  and  gentle  in  manner;  possessed  of  remarkable 
judgment,  of  extensive  information,  of  great  piety  and  excel- 
lence of  character,  while  she  was  domestic  to  the  last  degree  ” (as 
all  symmetrically  and  artistically  organized  men  and  women  are). 
Mrs.  Edwards  was  regarded  by  her  contemporaries  “as  sur- 
passing her  gifted  husband  in  native  vigor  of  understanding.” 
Jonathan  Edwards  was  the  choicest  blossom  of  this  union  of 
Nature’s  aristocrats.  So  powerful  was  his  oratory,  that  in  his 
sermon  “ On  the  Doom  of  Sinners,”  “ the  solemnity  and  feel- 
ings of  the  audience  deepened  at  length  into  such  insupporta- 
ble agony”  that  the  people  cried  aloud  for  mercy. 

The  mother  of  the  Wesleys,  Susannah  Annesley,  bore  nineteen 
children,  and  yet  found  time  “to  bestow  elaborate  care  upon 
the  moral  training  of  her  three  talented  sons.”  There  is  a deep 
and  well-founded  reason  for  the  Methodist  church  allowing- 
women  “to  speak  in  meeting.”  John  Wesley  founded  the 
Methodist  church,  and  Susannah  Annesley  founded  John 
Wesley ! 

22.  Pitt,  Fox,  and  Burke  were  all  youngest 
sons.  The  mothers  of  Sir  William  Jones,  Cuvier,  and  Fene- 
lon  were  in  the  meridian  of  life  at  the  birth  of  their  distin- 
guished children.  Washington  came  in  his  mother’s  maturity, 
and  “ was  strikingly  like  her  in  face,  mien,  and  mental  poise.” 
Dr.  Samuel  Johnson’s  mother  was  over  forty  years  at  his  birth. 
Benjamin  Franklin  was  the  eighth  child,  Benjamin  West  the 
tenth,  and  Dr.  Doddridge  the  twentieth  child  of  their  respective 
mothers. 

Napoleon  I.  came  of  a young  and  Eery  Corsican,  inured  to 
scenes  of  camp  and  council. 

Goethe  was  born  of  a young  mother,  gifted  intellectually, 
but  whose  moral  sense  was  developed  late,  if  at  all.  Who  can 
say  how  different  his  life  would  have  been  if  his  mother  had 
been  more  a woman  and  less  a girl.  Then  we  should  have  had 
no  Faust  to  corrupt  our  youth ; and  Goethe’s  own  life  would 
not  have  been  befouled  by  loose  gallantries,  which  cause  his 
friends  to  blush  while  they  apologize  for  him.  Who  must  not 
remember  Hannah  and  her  child  of  prayer,  Samuel  ? 


CHILDREN  OF  PRAYER. 


17 


23.  Children  of  Prayer , even  if  not  1 Yaza- 
• rites , corns  to  this  world  peculiarly  freighted  with  spiritual 
power.  Our  own  Samuel  J.  Mills,  originator  of  the  American 
Foreign  Missionary  movement,  was  given  to  the  Lord  by  his 
mother,  as  truly  as  was  that  other  Samuel  by  Hannah. 

Upon  the  contrary,  Hagar,  with  painful  truth,  represents 
that  unfortunate  class  of  women  who  blacken  the  souls  of  their 
offspring  by  indulgence  in  unholy  passions,  and  demonstrates 
what  unhappy,  desolate  motherhood  can  do  in  marring  human 
creatures.  Ishmael’s  brooding  passions  furnish  a mournful 
contrast  to  the  loveliness  of  Isaac’s  character,  as  the  latter  ex- 
claims, “ My  father,  behold  the  fire  and  the  wood ; but  where 
is  the  lamb  for  a burnt  offering?” 

Nor  does  Hagar’s  influence  stop  with  Ishmael,  if  the  Arab 
Syed  Ahmed  can  make  true  his  rendering  of  various  biblical 
prophecies — among  others,  Gen.  xvii.  20,  and  Isaiah  xxi.  7. 
Syed  Ahmed,  with  some  show  of  plausibility,  makes  Hagar  the 
mother  of  Mahomet,  or  rather  her  son  the  father  of  Mahomet 
and  his  followers.  Accordingly,  we  have  fifty  million  Moslem 
Ishmaels,  in  addition  to  the  thousands  of  Ishmaels  in  our  own 
land,  whose  hands  are  against  every  man,  etc.  In  view  of  these 
facts,  it  seems  very  certain  that  the  lion  and  lamb  won’t  lie 
down  together  yet  awhile! 

Nor  will  the  world  be  righted  until  the  mother-power  is  set 
to  work  less  wastefully  and  more  wisely. 

Next  to  God,  woman  has  most  to  do  in  improving  the  race! 

24.  Unfortunately,  when  Man  has  written  of 
hereditary  genius  he  has  seen  only  men,  until  the  common 
reader  might  believe  the  fathers  all  Jupiters,  and  their  sons, 
Pallas-like,  sprung  from  their  heads ; but  when  men  reckon 
children  without  their  mothers,  they  forget  to  count  their  host. 

Some  wise  man  has  suggested  that  to  improve  offspring  the 
prospective  mother  have  about  her  beautiful  pictures  and 
statues,  so  that  she  may  by  some  mysterious,  psychological 
photography  transfer  the  mental  impressions  to  the  soul  of  the 
unborn  child.  This  plan  may  be  very  well,  and  doubtless  is, 
when  nothing  better  presents  itself. 

'2 


18 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


25.  I can  think  of  nothing  better  in  the  “ stat- 
ue ” line  for  the  coming  mother  to  admire  than  a husband 
who  is  beloved,  honored,  and  trusted  to  the  heart’s  coi’e.  His 
very  footfall,  as  she  awaits  in  expectancy  his  coming,  will  limn 
his  characteristics  upon  the  unborn  child:  the  tones  of  his 
voice,  the  touch  of  his  hand,  will  send  ecstasy  through  the 
sensitive  organism  of  the  mother,  which  shall  tone  and  beautify 
the  soul  of  the  unborn  as  the  sunlight  stains  the  petal  of  the 
flower. 

20.  In  Biographical  History  no  one  thing  is 
more  striking  than  that  the  women  as  mothers,  who,  other 
things  being  equal,  have  been  most  beautiful  spiritually,  most 
susceptible  to  divine  influences,  who,  in  other  words,  have  lived 
most  with  God,  have  most  power  for  ennobling  offspring. 

Before  Samson  was  born,  his  father,  Manoah,  plead  the  paren- 
tal cause  by  demanding  of  the  angel,  “ How  shall  we  order  the 
child,  and  how  shall  we  do  unto  him?”  If  Manoah’s  were 
the  prayer  of  all  fathers  and  mothers  to-day,  we  could  afford  to 
wait  for  the  millennium. 

27.  The  Nicodemuses  of  the  World  may  parley  and 
doubt,  but  there  is  a spiritual  illumination,  a mystical  affilia- 
tion with  divinity,  a Pentecostal  day,  which  the  Quakers  have 
got  hold  of,  and  which  “ holiness  ” meetings  are  discussing, 
that  deepens,  broadens,  heightens,  and  intensifies  human  life 
to  many  times  its  original  capacity.  Women,  as  mothers,  can 
only  demonstrate  their  full  power  by  coming  into  this  higher 
realm  of  existence.  When  husbands  will  give  them  companion- 
ship in  this  seraphic  world  of  spiritual  might,  we  shall  see  the 
human  blossom  in  its  perfection — but  not  until  then. 


CHAPTER  III. 


HOME  EDUCATION  OF  CHILDBEH. 

EXT  to  (food  ante-natal  conditions  a 

judicious  home  education  will  do  more  to  rid 
this  earth  of  vice  than  all  other  things  and  in- 
fluences combined. 

One  can  predict,  at  a glance,  the  moral  bias 
of  men  and  women  by  the  manner  in  which 
they  take  hold  of  the  minutiae  of  domestic  de- 
tails. Integrity  in  the  details  of  life  is  equiva- 
lent to  a certificate  of  character ! Shiftlessness, 
looseness,  unconscientious  endeavor  here,  means 
baseness  of  heart  and  purpose. 

29.  One  grand  principle  in  child  culture  should  be 
observed  from  early  babyhood,  namely,  never  do  a thing  for  a 
child  that  it  can  do  for  itself.  Second,  oblige  the  child  to 
work,  to  accomplish  a given  amount  of  labor  each  day  of  its 
life.  Not  long  since  I heard  a philosopher  remark,  that  “ the 
crying  curse  of  to-day  is  detestation  of  labor.  The  common 
desire  to  get  a livelihood  without  work  leads  to  idleness  and 
crime.” 

A third  principle  should  be  to  teach  a child  reliableness  and 
exactness.  It  is  needful  to  place  the  foundation  of  character 
deep  down  in  childhood  or  babyhood,  if  it  is  to  stand  the  after 
storms  and  battles  that  may  come.  I would  like  to  see  a child 
so  soundly  reared  that  he  would  expect  a thunderbolt  to  fall 
about  his  head  if  he  disobeyed  father  or  mother. 

30.  I believe  the  actual  moral  bias  of  a boy  or  girl 
is  determined  before  it  is  eight  years  old.  If  he  will  tamper 
with  truth  at  that  age  he  will  never  quite  forget  the  trick  in 


20 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


later  years.  If  he  cannot  be  trusted  to  execute  a little  com- 
mission by  the  time  he  is  eight  years  old,  I would  give  little 
for  his  trustworthiness  later  in  life. 

The  child  is  emphatically  father  to  the  man  and  mother  to 
the  woman.  All  the  plays,  all  the  work  of  the  first  eight  years 
of  a child’s  life  should  have  a moral  bearing.  McDonald’s 
story  of  the  stern  old  Scotch  grandmother,  who  compelled  her 
grandson  to  return  the  pennies  given  him,  because  he  had  not 
earned  them,  should  be  conned  o’er  and  o’er  by  the  morally 
shiftless  mothers  of  this  generation.  That  such  rectitude  of 
conduct  can  be  enforced,  and  the  most  exquisite  gentleness  be 
maintained,  both  by  educator  and  educated,  is  demonstrated 
by  kindergartens. 

31.  The  Kindergarten  method  of  instruction 

should  precede  all  book  training.  Mothers  themselves  should 
understand  kindergarten  principles,  and  begin  the  education 
of  the  child  the  first  week  of  its  life.  Who  can  compute  the 
tremendous  advantage  that  would  accrue  to  the  human  creature 
could  all  its  earliest  powers  be  directed  in  such  a manner  that 
it  need  unlearn  nothing  in  later  life,  and  that  it  be  directed  in 
such  a way  that  all  its  young  enthusiasms  could  be  utilized  to 
the  development  of  its  body  and  soul ! Half  of  life  goes  in 
striving  to  unlearn  actions  and  their  effects,  that  should  never 
have  been  learned.  Human  power  could  be  quadrupled  by  an 
economic  use  of  every  faculty  God  has  given  us. 

32.  Work  is  a great  means  of  development.— 
Boys  should  be  taught  all  manner  of  work  about  house  and 
garden,  even  plain  sewing  and  knitting  will  often  keep  them 
from  mischief,  as  well  as  teach  them  a little  handicraft  that 
will  serve  them  later  in  life.  Some  of  the  most  heroic  men  I 
have  ever  known  helped  their  mothers  in  domestic  details  dur- 
ing boyhood.  Girls  should  be  taught  dish-washing,  bed-mak- 
ing, sweeping  and  dusting,  from  their  fifth  year  of  age;  while 
sewing  and  knitting  should  be  commenced  two  years  earlier. 
The  honestest  and  brightest  women  I have  known  could  hardly 
remember  when  they  learned  to  sew.  A mother  cannot  com- 
mence these  homely  duties  too  early  for  the  welfare  of  her 


MANNERS. 


21 


little  ones.  One  of  the  banes  of  to-day  is  that  nine-tenths  of 
all  girls,  rich  and  poor,  under  fourteen  years  of  age,  know  not 
the  use  of  the  needle.  If  a thorough  and  exquisite  use  of  the 
needle  does  not  help  along  women’s  rights  it  certainly  is  a safe- 
guard to  virtue.  I even  believe  it  will  aid  so-called  women’s 
rights,  viewed  in  their  true  light. 

33.  3Ien  are  drifting  too  much  out  of  the  sphere  of 
domesticity,  and  they  are  taking  with  them  their  wives  and 
daughters  to  the  uncertain  wastes  of  hotels  and  boarding- 
houses. 

The  children  of  the  wealthy  are  among  the  most  unfortu- 
nate children  we  have,  since  they  are  reared  to  no  certain 
vocation,  and  with  no  definite  purpose.  A young  lady  should 
hesitate  a long  time  before  she  consents  to  marry  a man  who 
has  been  reared  in  a boarding-house,  a hotel,  or  in  a rich 
family.  Nine  to  one,  in  either  case,  he  will  prove  a blight  to 
her  life. 

34.  Manners. — The  study  of  mere  books  is  a small  item 
in  the  education  of  a human  being. 

The  ancient  Persians  considered  the  attainment  of  two  things 
sufficient  for  a hero.  These  two  items  were  to  speak  the  truth 
and  shoot  with  the  bow.  With  these  hardy  truth-speaking  and 
bow-shooting  Persians,  Cyrus  made  a renown  that  has  lasted 
from  the  time  of  the  prophet  Isaiah  to  the  present. 

Next  to  truthfulness,  for  a boy  or  girl,  should  be  placed 
modesty.  Genuine  modesty  is  directly  allied  to  nobility.  Its 
inculcation  must  begin  with  babyhood  itself;  hence  the  best 
child  must  be  reared  by  a mother,  noble  in  soul  and  cultured 
in  mind,  and  not  by  an  ignorant  nurse  recently  imported  from 
the  slums  of  Europe  ! 

Modesty  modifies  every  act  and  phase  of  life  by  its  unspeak- 
able charm,  while  immodesty  sullies  every  thought  and  look  by 
its  stolid  effrontery.  One  of  the  portentous  signs  of  the  times 
is  the  conspicuous  lack  of  modesty  which  is  betrayed  by  men, 
women,  boys,  girls,  and  even  children,  in  looks,  words,  and 
acts. 


22 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


The  brazen  freedom  manifested  between  the  sexes  at  the 
present  day,  to  the  clean-minded  observer,  is  simply  immodesty, 
without  the  semblance  of  a blush  remaining.  Few  things 
astonish  one  more  than  the  indelicate  (if  not  actually  love)  let- 
ters that  pass  from  female  parishioner  to  pastor,  woman  to  man, 
boy  to  girl,  and  vice  versa,  and  all,  while,  mayhap,  only  casual 
relations  of  acquaintanceship  exist  between  them.  In  the  good 
old  days  of  Quaker  training,  we  believed  it  a crime  to  indite  to 
a man,  unless  under  the  solemn  vow  of  betrothal,  a line  that 
could  be  construed  into  even  a tender  sentiment.  I think  the 
mothers  of  to-day  have  no  idea  to  what  a criminal  extent  this 
indelicate,  immodest,  voluptuous,  I may  say  sensual,  style  of 
epistolary  traffic  is  carried  on.  A girl  cannot  write  a pseudo- 
passionate  epistle  to  a man  without  losing  a flavor  that  the 
honest  woman  cannot  dispense  with. 

35.  True  Politeness  is  so  much  a thing  of  the  soul 
that  I should  sooner  recommend  the  “Sermon  on  the  Mount” 
for  a text-book  than  Lord  Chesterfield’s  Letters.  It  is  so 
blended  with  perfect  obedience,  truthfulness,  modesty,  and  a 
certain  sensibility  of  temperament,  that  I look  for  it  only 
among  the  children  of  genuine  Christian  people.  It  is,  in  fact, 
the  result  of  a harmony  of  these  high  qualities.  The  time  to 
lay  its  corner-stone  is  in  earliest  childhood,  if  not  late  infancy. 

36.  Physical  Culture. — Artificial  methods  for  body 
culture  I have  very  little  faith  in.  They  are  only  a poor  make- 
shift, when  natural,  wholesome,  spontaneous  child-life  cannot 
be  had.  Nurses,  and  all  their  unnatural  complications,  are 
simply  a subtle,  and,  as  yet,  by  parents,  feebly  comprehended 
curse  to  the  fresh-souled  child. 

What  a child,  male  or  female,  needs  is  to  be  let  loose  out  of 
doors,  with  chilcjren  of  its  own  age  for  companions ; and  for 
playthings,  a dog,  cart,  boat,  ball,  kite,  sled,  mud-pies  (in  their 
season),  with  trees  to  climb,  an  old  shed  or  barn  to  hie  to  in 
rainy  weather,  while  over,  and  unobtrusively  guiding  and  en- 
couraging all,  should  be  ‘the  cheerful-faced  and  wise-hearted 
father  and  mother,  who  are  ready,  with  instant  sympathy,  for 
each  childish  joy  and  sorrow.  With  such  facilities  for  a vigor- 


CniLDBEN’S  DKESS. 


23 


ous  life,  a child  will  outlive  consumption,  scrofula,  weak  legs 
puny  arms,  and  bad  dispositions. 

A few  restrictions  should  be  laid  upon  the  child,  or  it  will 
not  profit  to  the  full  by  these  advantages : 

First.  Its  daily  modicum  of  work  must  be  done  before  play. 

Second.  Its  meals  must  never  be  omitted  for  amusement. 

Third.  It  must  not  be  allowed  to  rush  from  the  play-spell  to 
the  table,  but  rest  a half-hour  before  dinner  and  supper.  Many 
a child  is  made  a life-long  dyspeptic  by  immethodical  and 
hurried  eating. 

37.  Children’s  Dress.  — I have  observed  that  over- 
dressed children  are  rarely  robust  in  body  or  natural  in  man- 
ner. As  a rule,  cotton  garments  are  objectionable.  Wool 
fabrics  for  pants,  dresses,  coats,  and  sacks  should  be  used  for  all 
seasons,  except  a few  weeks  in  midsummer. 

The  legs,  knees,  arms,  and  shoulders  of  children  of  both 
sexes  should  be  scrupulously  covered,  winter  and  summer, 
unless  in  the  latter  they  are  happily  allowed  to  run  barefooted 
for  a term  of  ten  or  twelve  weeks.  Fortunately  persons  of 
wealth,  provided  they  possess  culture,  are  striving  to  subject 
their  children  to  those  conditions  of  life,  irrespective  of  foolish 
notions  of  dress  and  appearance,  which  will  ultimately  bring 
them  most  body  and  soul  power.  The  parents  of  Henry  IY. 
of  France  placed  their  son  for  some  years  among  the  peasantry, 
where  he  shared  their  labors,  and  was  fed  largely  upon  a diet  of 
bread  and  milk.  He  became  noted  for  his  personal  beauty. 
No  doubt  his  early  days  of  out-of-door  life  and  bread  and  milk 
had  much  to  do  with  it.  . 

I know  of  an  intelligent  Englishman  who  has  placed  his  son 
among  farmers,  that  he  may  learn  how  to  do  homely  work  and 
practice  self-denial.  All  over  this  country  men  and  women 
are  commencing  to  realize  that  six  feet  altitude  and  180  avoir- 
dupois for  their  sou  is  a better  start  among  men  than  the 
bankstocks  of  the  deplorable  specimens  of  precocity  and  in- 
efficiency that  disgrace  too  many  families  of  wealth. 

38.  Ch  ildren  should  not  only  he  plainly  and 
substantially  dressed,  but  they  should  be  taught  to 


24 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRITE  LIFE. 


take  care  of  themselves  and  their  clothes.  Each  child  should 
have  given  it  a drawer  in  a bureau,  or  a small  trunk,  where  its 
clothes  are  kept,  and  he  should  be  expected  to  keep  said  drawer 
or  trunk  in  perfect  order.  Bonnets  and  hats,  coats  and  sacks, 
should  be  carefully  hung  up  at  a stated  spot  by  the  wearers  of 
each.  Boots  and  shoes  should  be  kept  clean  and  black  by  their 
individual  owners.  And  just  so  far  as  practicable  the  rents 
and  holes  in  wearing  apparel  should  be  mended  by  the  makers 
of  them.  This  habit  in  both  sexes  should  be  commenced  in  the 
early  morning  of  life.  I know  of  nothing  that  so  induces 
steadiness  and  gentle  obedience  in  children  as  an  attention  to 
these  details  of  life.  Life  is  made  up,  in  the  main,  of  such 
minute  details  that  he  who  is  derelict  therein  becomes  a crea- 
ture of  inharmonies. 

I know  of  few  sights  so  unlovely  as  a child  unchastened  by 
restraint,  roughened  by  boisterous  companionship,  and  careless 
of  all  persons,  places  and  things  save  the  gratification  of  his 
selfish  wants.  One  need  not  expect  high  breeding  or  lovely 
characters  to  evolve  from  such  unpromising  boy  or  girl  child- 
hood. 

39.  Religious  training  for  Children. — I cannot 
close  this  chapter  without  alluding  to  religious  training  in 
children.  Unchristian  parents  furnish  sorry  instructors  for 
children.  One  must  feel  that  which  lie  would  inculcate. 
While  it  may  be  unwise  to  attempt  to  teach  doctrines  to  chil- 
dren, it  is  never  too  early  to  instill  into  their  fresh  souls  a trust 
in  divine  power,  and  an  implicit  faith  in  God  as  a personal 
friend ; and  that  all  that  is  noble  and  good  in  us  finds  instant 
response  from  this  celestial  source.  With  these  premises  granted, 
the  child  should  then  be  taught  in  the  good  old  Quaker  way, 
that  simply  doing  right  in  every  act  and  thought,  with  no 
struggle  for  fervid  experience,  is  all  that  is  required.  How 
rich  is  the  harvest  of  life  to  one  thus  inspired  and  taught ! 

For  the  encouragement  of  mothers,  I must  relate  one  little 
item  concerning  John  Ruskin.  His  mother  literally  compelled 
her  son  to  read  the  Bible  through  from  Genesis  to  Revelation 
once  each  year.  Late  in  life  her  son  confesses  that  aside  from 


RELIGIOUS  TRAINING  FOR  CHILDREN. 


25 


his  getting  a splendid  knowledge  of  the  Bible,  in  consequence 
of  his  mother’s  requirement,  he  acquired  a punctuality  and 
method  that  had  been  of  unspeakable  value  to  him. 

I do  not  comprehend  the  objections  usually  brought  against 
indiscriminate  reading  of  the  Bible.  I cannot  comprehend 
how  a clean-thoughted  person  can  other  than  drink  in  heroism 
and  inspiration — even  if  deadened  to  spiritual  enlivenment — 
from  the  grand  panorama  of  that  biblical  army  of  men  and 
women,  mighty  in  body,  heart  and  spirit! 

Then,  I would  read,  with  the  children,  the  Bible,  and  believe 
that  with  their  hearts  and  imaginations  they  would  drink  in 
the  truth,  poetry,  and  transcendant  humanity  that  crowd  and 
scintillate  its  pages. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


“SEX  IN  EDUCATION.” 

CZY  Eden’s  first  days  there  was  no  conscious- 
ness of  sex  ; and  the  innocent,  artless  meandering 
of  the  two  first  lovers,  beguiled  only  by  the  birds, 
the  stars,  and  the  unstudied  chain  that  fettered 
the  twain,  is  the  first  love  story  in  Jewish  litera- 
ture. 

How  different  now ! This  age  and  generation 
are  bedaubed  and  beslimed  by  sex.  There  is  sex 
in  politics,  sex  in  labor,  sex  in  the  pulpit,  sex  in 
church -membership,  sex  in  schools,  sex  in  conver- 
sation, sex  in  exercise,  sex  in  dress,  sex  in  everything  from 
the  cradle  to  the  grave.  Yea,  even  the  marble  slab  tells  us 
she  was  a relict  of  him,  as  was  his  snuff-box  or  spectacle-case. 


41.  In  a respectable  farming  district  in  New 

England,  the  neighbors  were  all  on  the  qui  vive  one  September 
Monday  morning  because  a new  schoolhouse,  and  a new  teacher 
who  had  recently  graduated  at  Harvard,  were  the  topic  of  con- 
versation. The  announcement  was  made  at  previous  Sabbath 
meeting  that  the  teacher  had  arrived,  and  the  school  was  to 
begin  immediately.  The  “ tinkle  ” of  the  pretty  bell  caused 
an  instant  hush,  and  the  children  anxiously  waited  for  the  first 
words  from  their  new  teacher,  who  was  to  be  called  “professor.” 
He  was  about  twenty-eight,  and  of  a pale,  spare,  little-legged, 
small-armed,  round-shouldered,  thin-lipped  sort,  brow  large 
and  pale,  eyes  small  and  bright,  voice  somewhat  effeminate  and 
affected,  and  the  absence  of  jewelry  and  carefully-worn  clothing 
left  the  impression  that  he  had  worked  hard  and  denied  him- 
self much  to  acquire  a thorough  education. 

Then  he  told  those  little  birds  with  outstretched  bills  how  he 


A RESPECTABLE  FARMING  DISTRICT. 


27 


had  come  to  work  for  them,  and  wanted  to  learn  to  love  them 
all,  that  he  might  teach  them  more.  He  drew  pictures  of  their 
after-life  until  the  boys  grew  big,  and  their  breaths  grew  hot  as 
they  unconsciously  panted  for  the  task  which  should  lift  them 
to  the  mountain-peak  of  fame  and  usefulness.  For  the  girls 
he  pictured  only  the  enjoyments  of  a quiet  home  and  its  name- 
less common  duties;  but  fame,  and  honor,  .and  recognition, 
and  culture,  and  power,  were  not  for  them.  The  professor  told 
them  that  Dr.  Clackenboss  had  lectured  to  the  Harvard  students 
and  told  them  that  girls,  by  virtue  of  their  sex,  were  unfitted 
to  cope  with  boys  in  study ; that  if  they  did,  they  would  fail 
in  health ; that  nature  made  them  “ superior  creatures,”  and 
they  wei’e  not  fitted  to  travel  those  paths  where  the  lion’s  whelp 
goeth  not  and  the  eye  of  vulture  never  sees;  but  that  girls 
might  serve  God  by  waiting  on  man,  by  attending  to  his  linen, 
and  preparing  nice  dinners,  and  taking  care  of  the  children, 
and,  finally,  making  a model  Christian  home. 

The  regret  one  feels  with  the  first  thought  of  having  been 
born  a girl  is  only  more  than  compensated  by  the  grander 
thought  of  our  inheritance  of  womanhood.  Womanhood ! 
The  exotic  of  all  the  ages ! pale,  suffering,  patient,  wronged 
womanhood  ! When  will  thy  thongs  be  cut,  that  thou  mayest 
again  walk  and  talk  with  thy  Father,  God,  and  not  feel  thy 
prayer  stifled  through  its  clumsier  expression  by  thy  self- 
constituted  keeper  and  master  ? 

The  enlightened  American  womanhood  of  to-day  does  not 
ask  to  vote,  or  work,  or  trade  horses.  Its  one  prayer  is  for 
emancipation.  Think  of  it,  ye  gods!  Lucretia  Mott,  Mary 
Livermore,  Lydia  M.  Child,  Mrs.  Oakes  Smith,  and  others  of 
their  ilk,  subjected  to  the  critical  castigation  of  a brainless 
tape- measurer,  or  that  of  some  irresponsible,  beardless  scribbler 
in  some  impersonalized  journal.  Do  you  wonder  that  the  com- 
mon phase  of  man’s  regard  for  woman  is  received  as  a poor  com- 
pensation for  her  reserved  rights  held  within  his  greedy  clutch  ? 

Man  knows  but  little  of  the  tyranny  of  sex  which  pervades 
Christendom.  Let  him,  in  imagination,  change  places  with 
the  most  favored  woman,  and  he  will  no  longer  wonder  why  he 
never  heard  a man  express  a wish  to  be  a woman. 


28 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


42.  3Idbel  Jones  sat  and  listened.  Mabel  had  great  big 
eyes,  and  they  always  seemed  full  of  tears,  though  she  seldom 
wept.  Her  father,  Squire  Jones,  used  to  keep  an  underground 
Railway  Station,  and  Wendell  Phillips  and  Lucretia  Mott  used 
to  visit  him,  and  Mabel  often  heard  them  and  her  parents  talk 
of  schools,  and  religion,  and  government,  and  the  Fugitive 
Slave  Laxo,  and  She  had  been  encouraged  by  her  wise  mother 
to  believe  that  one  day  she  might  help  to  make  some  things  a 
little  better  than  they  were. 

On  that  Monday  morning  Mabel  had  carried  an  armful  of 
books  to  the  new  schoolhouse.  She  was  fifteen,  and  she  hoped 
to  learn  so  much,  and  help  her  brother,  who  was  not  as  bright 
as  she;  but  now  the  new  teacher  had  told  her  that  girls  could 
not  do  much  in  this  world,  and  that  they  did  not  amount  to 
much  any  way.  Mabel  had  always  thought  otherwise,  and 
she  was  a wise  girl.  She  looked  around  at  the  girls  and  women 
she  knew,  and  they  verified  what  the  professor  had  said.  Then 
she  thought  the  professor  was  very  wise,  for  he  was  from  Har- 
vard. And  he  told  them  of  the  great  Dr.  Clackenboss,  who 
knew  all  about  girls,  and  how  God  had  made  them,  and  what 
He  made  them  for ; and  surely  the  great  Dr.  Clackenboss  must 
be  right,  for  he  lectured  at  Harvard. 

When  the  school*  was  dismissed  big-eyed  Mabel  went  home; 
and  her  books  were  heavier  than  they  were  when  she  carried 
them  to  school  in  the  morning,  and  the  birds  sang  to  her  as 
she  walked  along.  Mabel  could  not  eat  any  supper,  for  there 
was  a “lump  in  her  throat.”  When  Mabel  went  to  bed,  she 
did  not  cry ; but  the  lump  was  in  her  throat  all  the  same. 

During  the  night  Mabel  tried  to  sleep,  but  as  soon  as  she 
would  shut  her  eyes,  the  new  teacher  would  .come,  and  she 
heard  him  say  so  plain,  “Mabel  Jones,  Mabel  Jones,  you  have 
been  very*  silly.  Why  did  you  bring  those  books  to  school  ? 
Did  you  not  know,  Mabel,  that  girls  were  so  organized  that  to 
study  hard  and  learn  much,  will  ruin  their  health  ? Only  half 
the  time  can  you  study,  Mabel.  You  are  weak ; you  are  a girl ; 
half  the  time  between  now  and  twenty  you  will  be  unfit  for 
study.  Mabel  Jones,  I am  sorry  for  you ; but  you  are  only  a 
girl, — and  girls  can’t  study  with  boys;  the  great  Dr.  Clacken- 


COME  HERE,  MABEL  JONES. 


29 


boss  said  so ; and  it  must  be  so.  I am  sorry,  Mabel,  very.  I 
think  the  Lord  must  have  forgotten  something  when  you  were 
gotten  up,  Mabel.” 

And  so  Mabel  slept  with  the  lump  in  her  throat  all  night, 
and  in  the  morning  she  told  her  mother,  and  her  great  big  eyes 
were  filled  with  tears.  God  help  thee,  Mabel ! Thou'lt  need 
Him  again  as  now.  I see  thee  in  the  rugged  path  of  after  years, 
and  ever  and  anon  go  down  on  thy  knees  and  ask  Him  to  guide 
thee  when  doctors  are  filling  thy  ears  with  lies,  and  false  teach- 
ers are  leading  thee  to  idleness  or  shame ! 

43.  Come  here,  Mabel  Jones,  and  let  me  talk  to 
you.  Save  your  tears  until  the  time  comes  when  you  will  need 
them  more.  You  are  a bright  girl  and  I love  you.  and  wish 
the  world  were  full  of  such  as  you.  Your  new  teacher  is  a 
good  man,  but  he  does  not  know  much.  He  has  been  to  school 
and  heard  professors  talk;  but  he  knows  very  little  of  the 
world.  Take  your  books  back  to  school ; study  them  and  help 
your  brother,  if  he  cannot  keep  up  with  you.  Never  listen  to 
anybody  who  tells  you  that  you  cannot  be  a grand  and  useful 
woman.  I know  this  Dr.  Clackenboss.  He  is  like  all  other 
men  doctors  who  try  to  teach  cultured  women  more  about 
women  than  they  themselves  know.  Men  never  seem  sillier 
than  when  they  try  to  tell  a woman  how  she  does  or  ought  to  feel. 

All  students  should  be  careful  to  preserve  their  health.  Do 
you  see  your  new  teacher?  He  is  misshapen,  old  and  half  worn 
out,  though  only  a full  grown  boy  in  years.  You  must  do 
better ; study  physiology.  Be  wise  in  dressing,  in  bathing,  in 
your  exercise,  in  diet,  in  study,  in  everything.  Then  your 
health  will  not  fail,  nor  will  you  fail.  More  than  three-fourths 
of  boys  and  girls  lose  their  health  while  securing  an  education ; 
not  because  they  are  boys,  nor  because  they  are  girls  ; but  be- 
cause they  have  disregarded  the  laws  of  health.  Place  your 
standard  high  and  wisely,  and  bravely  strive  to  attain  it ; and, 
trust  me,  my  dear  girl,  God  will  bless  you  in  your  work.  In 
the  darkest  hours  remember  your  commission,  make  most  of 
your  every  talent ; and  always  be  comforted  by  the  assurance 
that  in  the  eyes  of  heaven  womanhood  is  worth  as  much  as 
manhood,  and  is  not  more  liable  to  faint  by  the  way. 


CHAPTER  V. 


COURTESY  BETWEEN  HUSBANDS  AND  WIVES. 


F marriage  is  not  a sacrament  in 
the  technical  sense , it,  certainly,  must  be 
made  so  through  experience,  before  the  parties 
to  it  reap  its  full  meed  of  blessing.  In  a word, 
marriage  is  either  sacredness  or  baseness  ! 

“ If  life  is  one  hundred,”  says  a witty  woman, 
“even  the  worst  marriage  counts  fifty.”  Set- 
ting aside  the  delights  of  mere  love  and  sym- 
pathy, springing  from  a rational  marriage,  and 
the  consequent  growth  therefrom,  there  is  yet 
a view  of  it  too  little  considered,  viz.,  the  development  of  char- 
acter which  must  come  from  the  study  of  a human  being  to 
whom  the  wife  or  husband  continually  adapts  her  or  himself, 
the  constant  “'give  and  take”  of  opportunities  and  drawbacks, 
the  incessant  play  of  judgment  (even  between  the  most  loving 
pair)  in  adaptation  of  each  to  each,  the  subtle  play  of  soul  upon 
soul,  are  of  unspeakable  value  in  the  development  of  power, 
nobility,  and,  let  us  hope,  of  spiritual  bloom.  I believe,  setting 
aside  adultery  and  the  worst  cases  of  drunkenness  and  insanity, 
almost  any  marriage,  which  has  been  honestly  contracted,  can 
be  made  endurable  by  him  or  her  who  wills  it. 

In  nearly  every  case  of  dissolved  marriage,  it  will  be  found 
that  the  qualities  of  character  which  rendered  marriage  num- 
ber one  a disfigurement  upon  society,  will  also  render  marriage 
number  two  or  three,  a like  misfortune.  The  philosophic 
method  is,  not  to  get  rid  of  the  marriage,  but  of  the  qualities 
of  heart  and  soul  that  mar  it! 

45.  Gossiping  Infidelity  of  Husbands  and 
Wives. — There  is  a disgraceful  and  common  fashion  nowa- 


POLITENESS  BETWEEN  HUSBAND  AND  WIFE.  31 

days  for  wives  and  husbands  to  narrate  the  drawbacks  of  each 
other  to  their  respective  friends,  while,  at  the  same  time,  they 
bemoan  their  personal  trials  and  tribulations.  This  has  always 
seemed  to  me  a species  of  cowardly  infidelity  to  a husband  or 
wife  which  should  meet  with  sharp  reproof.  It  does  not  matter 
so  much  how  a human  being  suffers,  as  that  he  or  she  hides 
such  suffering  from  view.  At  the  present  day  it  too  often  hap- 
pens that  a woman  will  pour  her  wifely  woes  into  the  ears  of 
another  man — that,  to  a dignified  mind,  is  the  last  contempti- 
ble act  a silly  woman  is  capable  of!  I trust  the  next  book  on 
manners  will  proclaim  upon  its  title-page  that  the  climax  of 
indecency  is  to  parade  social  troubles  .1 before  the  public  eye,  or 
private  ear.  It  is  better  to  burst  with  a domestic  sorrow  than 
to  tell  of  it!  In  the  former  case  there  would  be  hope  of  going 
white  and  clean  to  God;  in  the  latter,  your  best  friend  will 
ultimately  disrespect  if  not  despise  you. 

46,  Politeness  between  husband  and  wife , — 
Common  sense  would  teach  us  that  persons  who  are  most 
vitally  and  intricately  associated,  should  need  to  use  the 
choicest  methods  for  rendering  such  asssociation  agreeable  and 
harmonious.  Since  even  the  superficial  forms  of  politeness 
seem  to  throw  a roseate  hue  over  the  little  unharmonies  of  life, 
it  would  strike  one  that  a husband  and  wife  should  be  scrupu- 
lously careful  of  the  personal  bearing  of  each  other,  lest  either 
be  guilty  of  wounding  feeling  by  word  or  manner.  There  are 
so  many  ways  in  which  a wife  or  husband  may  unknowingly 
trespass  upon  the  domain  of  each  other,  that  it  seems  only  the 
most  vulgarly  stolid  should  willfully  mar  and  darken  the  life  of 
the  other. 

There  are  innumerable  times  and  seasons  when  by  a gentle 
act,  or  word,  or  even  loolc,  a husband  may  win  his  wife’s  un- 
speakable gratitude  ; and,  may  there  not  be  times  when  a wife 
may  thus  win  a husband’s  ? 

True  success  in  life  is  so  much  a subjective  thing,  so  much  a 
thing  of  absolute  character,  that  life  seems  a sad  failure,  indeed, 
■when  one  has  hot  evolved  harmonies  in  his  own  home  rela- 
tions. Excessive  politeness  in  public  can  never  satisfy  the 


32 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


ideal  loving  wife  or  husband.  Somehow  we  feel  through 
artifices  and  shams,  and  our  souls,  at  last,  touch  the  reality. 
Only  that  gentle  breeding  that  cannot  be  hid  in  society,  and 
yet  penetrates  to  even  the  bedchamber,  can  charm  like  a per- 
fume, or  a rapturous  .strain  of  music,  the  inequalities  of  life. 
This  kind  of  politeness  is  so  difficult  of  attainment,  that  one 
who  is  hampered  by  temper,  hatred  and  pride,  may  think  the 
task  too  hard,  or  that  the  prize,  a good  wife  or  husband,  is  not 
worth  the  toil.  However,  a husband  or  wife  is  only  a tithe  of 
the  reward  in  this  case,  happily  ; the  actual  reward  is  a subju- 
gation of  hateful  characteristics , and  the  birth  of  the  heroic  and 
god-like  qualities. 

47.  When  I teas  a girl  and  at  school,  Wendell 

Phillips  addressed  us,  and  dwelt  upon  the  desirableness  of 
meeting  difficulties,  and  the  strength  of  spirit  that  came  from 
surmounting  them.  My  heart  burned  within  me  at  his  words, 
and  I longed  to  meet  a difficulty.  I could  hardly  sit  still  and 
wait  until  one  should  come ; I thought  I would  like  to  do 
nothing  but  overcome  difficulties  the  rest  of  my  life.  I did  not 
know  then  what  I have  learned  since,  that  the  worst  diffi- 
culties I could  ever  meet  were  even  at  that  moment  intrenched 
within  my  own  soul ! Thus  it  is  with  the  young  man  and 
woman.  They  chafe  and  fret  for  actual  life  to  open  wide  its 
doors,  that  their  feet  may  find  the  broad  way  to  success  and 
happiness ; and  when  the  storm-king  appears  in  their  matri- 
monial heaven,  what  poltroons  they  are! 

48.  In  theory  they  know  that  a trouble,  courage- 
ously and  conscientiously  borne  to  the  end,  is  an  education ; 
and  yet  how  few  but  will  ignominiously  refuse  to  bear  the  bur- 
dens that  come  with  marriage  ! 

I do  not  believe  it  is  possible  to  secure  a genuinely  happy 
marriage  unless  the  parties  to  it  not  only  respect  and  love  each 
other,  but  that  they  actually  possess  genuine  Christian  prin- 
ciples. That  humility  and  teachableness  of  spirit  which  the 
sincere  Christian  possesses  is  magical  in  the  transforming  and 
beautifying  the  turbulent  qualities  of  an  undisciplined  hus- 


TROUBLE  AN  EDUCATION. 


33 


band  and  wife.  I think  not  half  enough  is  said  of  the  power 
of  the  graces  in  beautifying  the  hearts,  dispositions,  and  even 
faces  of  persons.  Sermons  are  full  of  the  fact  that  attainment 
of  Christianity  is  a fee  simple  for  heaven  ; but  of  its  exceeding 
loveliness  in  every-day  life,  too  little  is  said.  Christianity  is 
worth  working  for  if  only  for  its  BEAUTY-imparting  power.  I 
shall  never  forget  the  gracious  presence  of  that  heavenly 
Quaker  woman,  Louisa  Frost,  of  Central  New  York.  She  was 
eighty-three  years  old  at  the  time  I saw  her  ; and  yet  no  youth- 
ful girl  or  woman  ever  impressed  me  as  being  so  beautiful  as 
this  white- skinned,  clear -eyed,  gentle  - voiced  woman,  who 
seemed  almost  as  familiar  with  God  as  she  was  with  the 
numerous  guests  who  besought  admittance  to  her  chamber. 

Marriage  must  be  the  makeshift  that  it  too  often  is  until 
men  and  women  enter  it  with  better  purposes. 


3 


I 


CHAPTER  VI. 

infs  upon  Kitchen  and  Dining- 
room. — There  are  fete  things  that  so  con- 
spicuously determine  the  quality  of  the  mind 
and  heart  of  a housekeeper  as  that  tattooed 
quarter  of  the  house  denominated  kitchen. 
Here  the  mistress  of  a house  unconsciously 
betrays  whatever  of  the  artistic,  conscientious, 
practical,  or  capable  faculties  she  may  pos- 
sess. The  kitchen  is  a far  truer  index  of  the 
spirit  of  the  house  than  the  parlor.  The  plea 
that  “servants  rule”  is  no  excuse  for  kitchen  mismanagement. 
It  is  but  a plea  for  the  incapacity  and  the  undisciplined  heart 
and  mind  of  the  wife,  mother  and  mistress.  Servants  don’t 
rule  in  the  houses  of  any  save  badly  organized  or  badly  trained 
women. 

50.  What  the  Kitchen  should  be. — The  kitchen 
should  be  not  only  light  and  airy,  but  it  should  be  sunny 
morning  and  evening.  It  should  be  lighted  by  at  least  four 
windows,  which  can  be  easily  opened  top  and  bottom.  Dark 
kitchens  are  not  only  unhealthy  for  its  occupants,  but  food  in 
them  must  of  necessity  be  less  nicely  cared  for,  because  of  the 
lack  of  light.  Mustiness  or  mouldiness,  that  offense  to  nostrils, 
taste,  and  good  health,  is  common  in  kitchens  to  which  the 
sun’s  rays  do  not  commonly  penetrate. 

A light,  sunny  kitchen  is  almost  sure  to  be  sweet,  wholesome, 
and  cheerful.  The  walls  of  a kitchen  should  either  be  painted 
or  papered  in  light  colors,  the  windows  be  relieved  by  easily- 
moved  shades,  and  the  floor  should  not  he  carpeted,  but  painted 
and  varnished  twice  each  year.  No  one  who  has  not  tried  it 
can  realize  the  sense  of  cleanness  that  comes  from  a well-painted. 


KITCHEN  CLOSETS. 


35 


well- varnished  kitchen  floor ! By  a properly  adjusted  flue  over 
the  stove  or  range,  all  odors  can  be  at  once  conveyed  to  the 
chimney- top,  and  thus  the  adjoining  rooms  and  hall- ways  be 
relieved  of  unhealthy,  unbeautiful,  not  to  say  disgusting  odors. 

51.  Laundry  work  should  he  done  in  a little  out- 
side room  which  is  always  needful  for  various  work  that  does 
not  legitimately  belong  to  the  kitchen  proper.  In  that  room 
the  tubs  should  be  permanently  set  and  arranged,  with  faucets 
for  escape  of  water.  Lifting  of  tubs  has  done  untold  mischief 
to  the  lumbar  and  uterine  muscles  of  women.  It  is  a needless 
and  wasteful  use  of  strength,  which  all  women  should  protest 
against.  In  these  days,  when  every  prairie  farmer  in  Nebraska 
or  Dacotab  uses  all  expensive  machinery  invented  by  the  wits 
of  men,  and  propelled  .by  the  muscles  of  horses,  for  saving  his 
back,  legs  and  hands,  women  should  see  to  it  that  they  waste 
not  an  ounce  of  nerve  power  through  muscular  taxation,  that 
can  be  obviated  by  a little  inexpensive  machinery. 

52.  Kitchen  Conveniences. — A kitchen  should  be  a 
sort  of  convenient  machine,  that  can  be  worked  with  little 
friction. 

The  cooking-stove  or  range  should  embraoe  the  latest  im- 
provements, even  if  it  be  renewed  as  often  as  a farmer  renews 
his  hay-rake.  I must  repeat,  lest  my  reader  gather  not  the 
whole  emphasis  that  my  words  are  meant  to  convey,  see  to  it 
that  the  stove  or  range  be  labor-saving,  and  thoroughly  con- 
venient. Every  woman  knows  that  a stove  with  a feeble 
draught,  one  that  won’t  hold  the  fire,  one  that  requires  contin- 
ual lifting  of  utensils,  an  oven  that  burns  on  top,  or  that  won’t 
bake  on  the  bottom,  doubles  labor  and  nervous  exhaustion  for 
herself  and  servant. 

53.  Kitchen  Closets. — Never  tolerate  a dark  kitchen 
closet  or  unfinished  corners.  The  shelves  should  be  covered 
with  light,  if  not  white  paint,  and  there  should  be  abundance 
of  drawers  for  linen,  knives,  and  spoons,  also  an  abundance  of 
hooks  for  hanging  whatever  can  be  hung.  Architects  are  be- 
hind the  spirit  of  the  times  in  their  arrangement  of  houses  and 


36 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIRE. 


house  economies.  Whereas  everything  about  a kitchen  and 
its  environs  should  be  arranged  with  a view  to  the  least  lifting, 
the  fewest  handstrokes  and  footsteps,  architects  contrive  every- 
thing for  the  most  wasteful  outlay  of  strength.  And  so  untold 
tons  of  woman’s  strength  goes  for  nothing. 

Just  here  a wise,  intelligent,  and  mechanically  ingenious 
husband  (men  without  deft  hands,  nimble  brains,  and  sympa- 
thizing hearts  make  poor  husbands),  can  wonderfully  supple- 
ment a woman  of  tact.  It  would  not  be  too  much  to  say  that 
he  can  even  save  power  to  his  wife  that  shall  ultimately  go  over 
to  his  coming  children,  by  contriving  ways  for  saving  her 
strength  in  the  kitchen.  Sure  I am  that  hundreds  of  women, 
both  East  and  West,  are  wasting  power  in  their  badly-arranged 
kitchens  and  dining-rooms  that  otherwise  would  have  gone  to 
the  invigoration  of  their  offspring. 

54.  There  should  lie  an  adjunct  to  every  kitchen  in 
the  form  of  a labor-saving  machine.  It  consists  of  a small  room, 
or  very  large  pantry,  about  nine  or  ten  feet  long  b,y  six  or  eight 
feet  wide.  In  it  should  be  one  large  window,  that  opens  top 
and  bottom. 

Upon  one  side  should  be  a neatly-made  sink,  with  hot  and 
cold  water,  if  in  a city,  or  if  in  the  country,  pumps  for  hard 
and  soft  water.  Under  the  sink  should  be  every  conceivable 
convenience  for  pots  and  kettles.  Over  the  sink,  high  enough 
to  be  out  of  the  way,  should  be  a couple  of  shelves,  five  feet 
long,  for  holding  tinware,  etc.  Upon  the  second  side  of  the 
room,  at  the  right  hand  of  the  sink  as  one  faces  it,  should  be 
five  deep,  easily-opened  compartments,  for  coarse  and  fine  flour, 
oats,  corn,  and  rye  meal.  Above  these  chests  should  be  a broad 
dresser,  surmounted  by  a couple  of  excellent  closets  for  the 
accommodation  of  ordinary  victuals.  The  third  side  should  be 
filled  with  wide,  open  shelves  from  the  top  of  the  room  to 
within  three  feet  of  the  floor,  while  the  remaining  three  feet 
should  be  filled  with  nine  easily-moved  drawers,  arranged  three 
in  a row.  These  can  be  used  for  table  linen,  etc.,  etc.  Upon 
the  fourth  side,  the  superficies  of  which  is  lessened  by  the  door 
to  the  room,  should  be  a drop-leaf  table,  for  bread,  cake,  and 


THE  DINING-ROOM. 


37 


pastry  work.  Above  this  table  should  be  three  narrow  shelves, 
for  boxes,  nicely  labeled  with  name  of  contents,  such  as  (for 
those  who  use  them)  coffee,  tea,  cocoa,  spices  of  all  kinds,  and 
firkins  for  several  graded  of  sugar.  The  ceiling,  walls,  shelves, 
and  floor  should  be  painted  and  varnished. 

I need  scarcely  add  that  the  most  scrupulous  neatness  should 
pertain  to  everything  about  persons  and  things  belonging  to 
the  kitchen. 

55.  Servants — the  fewer  of  them  the  better. 
Sons  and  daughters  actually  need  the  discipline  of  the  work 
that  servants  are  often  hired  to  do. 

A servant  girl  should  be  treated  as  a Christian  woman  would 
treat  a Christian  woman.  It  has  often  been  a matter  of 
astonishment  to  me  that  woman,  so  choice  of  her  own  daugh- 
ter, should  so  badly  lodge  the  daughter  of  some  other  woman, 
as  she  too  often  does  her  servant  girl. 

I consider  it  the  peculiar  duty  of  a housekeeper  to  see  per- 
sonally that  the  servant  girl,  who  is  companion  to  her  children, 
shall  keep  her  person,  wardrobe,  and  sleeping  apartment,  at 
least,  neat  and  clean,  and  that  she  shall  appear  morning  and 
evening  at  Bible-reading  and  prayers,  if  such  are  had  in  the 
household.  A servant  who  is  too  wicked  to  consent  to  this  is 
too  wicked  to  live  among  children. 

50.  The  Dining-room. — A great  man  has  said,  “the 
dinner-party  is  the  highest  expression  of  civilization.” 

To  prepare  food  in  a scientific  and  exquisite  manner,  and  to 
partake  of  it  under  satisfactory  circumstances,  is  a matter  that 
requires  all  the  judgment,  common  sense,  and  artistic  ability 
one  human  being  is  likely  to  possess. 

A dining-room,  if  possible,  should  be  an  East  room.  It 
should  be  numerously  windowed,  well  ventilated,  and  clean. 

For  adornment,  I should  prefer  pictures  of  mountains  and 
sea  views  to  the  stereotyped  fruit  and  game  pieces  that  one  has 
long  since  wearied  of. 

The  temperature  should  never  suggest  chilliness.  An  air  of 
inhospitality  is  imparted  when  one  must  muffle  in  breakfast 
shawls  or  overcoats,  or  submit  to  a miniature  ague  fit. 


38 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


»> !)  o Perfect  'method  ((bout  all  eati/ny  processes 
should  be  had.  Meals  should  come  with  punctuality. 

Leisure  at  table  is  agreeable  as  wholesome,  while  clouded 
brows,  stern  lips,  and  uncordial  tones  are  as  hateful  as  under- 
bred. What  earthly  tableau  is  more  warming  to  every  social 
instinct  than  a cozy  breakfast  in  a sunny  room,  with  lire  upon 
the  hearth,  and  a table  surrounded  by  host,  hostess,  children, 
and  guests,  full  of  cheer,  humor,  and  appetite!  Neglect  no 
formality  because  }Tou  are  alone.  Be  as  much  to  each  other  as 
you  are  to  strangers.  Your  wife  will  not  less  appreciate  your 
Wit  or  your  smile  because  she  is  the  only  recipient.  Your  hus- 
band will  not  less  appreciate  full  courses,  and  those  distinctly 
separated  by  well-swept  table  linen,  than  he  would  if  others 
shared  the  honor  with  him. 

S8.  Always  x>reside  at  your  own  table . — Never 
yield  to  another,  unless  you  would  take  a second  place  in  the 
household.  If  means  are  limited,  teach  your  sons  and  daugh- 
ters to  wait  upon  the  table  in  turns.  It  will  allow  greater 
freedom  for  conversation,  and  will  yield  a wholesome  discipline 
to  the  one  serving,  which  will  not  be  lost  in  after  years. 

St).  Do  not  burden  your  table  or  your  strenyth 

by  furnishing  a great  variety  at  one  meal.  Few  dishes,  well 
cooked  and  served,  are  most  grateful,  from  all  points  o„f  view. 
Do  not  have  certain  oft-repeated  dishes  upon  certain  set  days. 
The  eye,  mind,  and  stomach  alike  are  pleased  with  novelty. 
An  exquisite  muffin  at  breakfast,  when  the  taste  has  revolted 
at  the  stereotyped  “ bread  and  butter  ” regimen,  is  an  item  to  be 
duly  thankful  for.  Let  everything  about  the  room  and  table 
suggest  freshness. 

Bread  should  be  evenly  and  thinly  cut,  and  laid  upon  the 
plate  as  though  it  had  been  handled  by  tender  and  considerate 
fingers.  Butter  should  be  hard,  and  carefully  laid  in  the 
middle  of  the  plate;  the  small  milk-pitcher  perfectly  clean, 
and  of  exquisite  form,  and  sugar-bowl  to  match.  An  artistic 
housekeeper  will  always  see  that  cups  and  saucers  are  small,  of 
beautiful  form  and  texture,  and  that  teaspoons  are  of  solid 


WITHOUT  METHOD  ALL  LIFE  IS  WORRY. 


39 


silver.  Beverages  served  in  faultless  china  and  silver  acquire 
an  added  delicacy  of  flavor.  One  cup  thus  served  will  satisfy 
body  and  soul  as  a dozen  cups  will  not  if  served  in  ware  thick 
enough  for  a wash-bowl,  accompanied  by  a tarnished  spoon. 

GO.  Without  method  all  life  is  a shiftless 
worry.  — Everything  should  be  planned  ahead.  Lincoln’s 
advice  to  not  cross  a"  bridge  till  you  come  to  it,  will  not  prove 
sound  in  the  household.  All  domestic  bridges  have  to  be 
crossed  by  the  artistic  housekeeper,  in  imagination,  before 
the  family  get  to  them.  At  night  have  all  in  readiness  for 
to-morrow’s  breakfast,  if  not  to-morrow’s  dinner. 

In  the  good  time  coming,  when  the  domestic  is  to  form  the 
highest  expression  of  life,  as  it  surely  must  do  if  human  beings 
are  to  reach  their  best  development,  husbands  will  su}Jplement 
wives  far  more  efficiently  and  cordially  than  they  do  now. 
Then,  when  “the  earth  is  the  Lord’s  and  the  fullness  thereof,” 
domestic  machinery  will  move  with  a “ Te  Deum,”  and  not,  as 
now,  with  a sigh ! Then  will  come  harmony  and  content- 
ment. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


TJVTS  upon  Bathing. — No  bath  should 

be  taken  when  the  body  is  fatigued.  No  bath 
should  be  taken  immediately  after  or  before  a 
meal.  If  practicable,  the  bath  should  be  taken 
when  the  body  is  at  its  maximum  of  vigor. 

For  ordinary  life,  the  most  convenient  time 
for  a bath  is  upon  rising  or  retiring.  A bath 
upon  going  to  bed  is  conducive  to  sleep. 
Simply  washing  the  skin  with  clear  water  is 
not  sufficient  for  cleanliness.  .Soap  should  be 
freely  used.  Even  with  soap  and  water,  the  skin  often  remains 
Unclean,  as  is  proved  by  the  rolls  of  debris  that  can  be  rubbed 
from  it  after  a vapor  bath. 

The  bath  should  be  taken  in  a well-heated  room,  and  should 
ever  be  followed  by  a sensation  of  comfort,  otherwise  more  harm 
than  good  has  been  done. 

If  the  person  be  delicate  to  atmospheric  impressions,  take 
the  bath  very  quickly,  and  do  not  wet  the  whole  body  at  once. 
For  a general  bath  the  water  may  be  of  temperature  that  is 
agreeable  to  the  bather. 

02.  Foot  Baths  are  invaluable,  and  maybe  taken  several 
times  per  week,  with  advantage  by  all  persons.  Well  persons 
may  continue  them  from  fifteen  to  thirty  minutes  in  water  as 
cool  as  can  be  borne.  Rub  dry  with  towel  and  hand,  and  p>are 
the  nails  carefully.  This  practice  keeps  the  feet  nice,  and  rids 
them  of  corns. 

63.  flip,  or  Sitz-Bath. — The  sitz-bath  may  be  taken 
in  a common-sized  wash-tub,  or  sitz-bath  tub,  with  so  much 
water  as  nearly  to  fill  the  tub  when  the  person  sits  down.  The 
person  should  remove  all  his  clothing,  and  be  well  wrapped 


YAPOE  OR  TURKISH  BATHS. 


41 


over  the  shoulders  with  a comfortable.  Many  times  it  is  desira- 
ble to  take  a warm  foot-bath  while  a sitz-bath  is  taken.  In  this 
case,  the  feet  should  be  dipped  into  the  cool  water  when  taken 
out  of  the  warm  bath.  A cool,  wet  cloth  should  be  worn  on 
the  head.  This  bath  is  continued  from  five  to  ninety  minutes, 
to  meet  conditions ; though  the  more  usual  time  is  from  fif- 
teen to  thirty  minutes. 

The  sitz-bath  is  invaluable  in  a host  of  ailments — uterine, 
biliary,  etc.,  etc. 

The  average  temperage  is  90°  cooled  to  85°  just  before  leav- 
ing the  tub. 

64.  In  acute  ailments  it  must  be  remembered  that  the 
higher  the  fever  the  higher  should  be  the  temperature  of  the 
water  for  bathing. 

65.  Vapor  or  Turkish  Bath. — This  is  the  prince 
of  remedial  baths,  specially  adapted  to  rheumatism,  colds,  fevers, 
inflammations,  “biliousness,”  and  skin  diseases.  It  consists  of 
enveloping  the  body  in  a temperature  warmer  than  the  blood. 
The  Turkish  or  Russian  bath  and  the  old  Thompsonian  sweat 
are  equivalents.  Another  and  simpler  meaus : Seat  the  un- 
dressed patient  on  a wood-bottom  chair,  under  which  burn 
alcohol  in  a lamp  with  three  wicks,  each  the  size  of  your 
thumb,  and  having  a cap  for  extinguishing  one  or  more 
burners,  as  the  patient  requires.  He  in  the  meantime  is 
draped  from  the  neck  downwards  with  blankets  and  com- 
fortables. When  the  patient  has  sweat  thoroughly,  he  should 
be  washed  with  cool  salted  water,  and  be  careful  that  he  does 
not  take  cold  afterwards. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


§ 66.  COOKERY. 

HERE  are  so  many  works  upon  cookery  that 
it  were  not  needful,  even  if  I had  an  inclination, 
to  furnish  copious  details  upon  cookery.  Be- 
lieving that  the  most  of  my  readers  are  already 
versed  in  common  routine  cookery,  I shall  not 
waste  words  in  reiterating  that  which  can  be 
learned  from  manuals  close  at  hand. 

My  main  purpose  in  touching  upon  the  trite 
question  of  cookery  is  to  furnish  a bird’s-eye 
view  of  the  whole  ground,  in  all  its  complexity 
and  puzzlement,  while  I dot  here  and  there  the  true  principles 
that  must  guide  the  housekeeper  in  preparing  food  for  her  fam- 
ily. All  work  that  one  can  systematize  and  grasp  at  once  in  a 
large  way  seems  half  accomplished.  I cannot  spend  time  to  ex- 
plain the  preparation  of  many  dishes,  nor  do  I expect  the  novice 
to  take  the  few  formulae  that  I am’ to  give  and  produce  perfect 
results  at  the  first  trial.  Practice  and  good  judgment  alone  will 
produce  the  wholesome  cook.  An  educated  woman  can  always 
with  the  same  practice  make  a better  cook  than  the  uneducated. 
“Brains”  tell  as  conspicuously  in  the  kitchen  as  in  the  parlor. 

The  literary  man,  to  accomplish  the  most,  is  compelled  to 
use  all  the  intellectual  “ go  carts  ” that  he  can  lay  tongue,  hand 
or  pen  to.  The  accomplished  kitchen  queen  must  do  something 
similar.  She  must  not  waste  strength  in  crude  efforts  or 
unnecessary  movements.  The  strength  that  was  used  by  our 
grandmothers  in  beating  eggs  with  an  iron  spoon  might  have 
been  crystallized  in  the  form  of  better  nervous  systems  for  their 
grandchildren,  had  our  grandfathers  bought  egg-beaters  for  said 
grandmothers ! So,  get  all  the  help  that  is  furnished  by  apple- 
peelers  and  corers,  potato-peelers  and  slicers,  skeleton  egg- 
boilers,  clothes-wringers,  sprinklers,  carpet-sweepers,  and  the 


FRUIT. 


43 


rest  of  the  labor-saving  contrivances.  Don’t  lift  a foot  or  finger 
that  can  be  obviated  by  a machine.  At  first  this  may  seem 
selfish,  but  in  a term  of  decades  it  will  be  proved  to  be  rarest 
wisdom.  Sentimental  self-immolation  and  sentimental  self- 
sacrifice  are  only  suicide.  No  computation  can  produce  the 
sum  of  the  subtle,  far-reaching  influences  of  a gifted,  discip- 
lined woman  in  domestic  matters. 

FRUIT. 

Fruit.  Our  native  fruits,  when  ripe  and  sound,  are  nutritious,  and 
very  wholesome  food  ; but  they  should  be  used  as  food  exclusively,  and 
eaten  at  the  table  as  part  of  the  meal. 

Apples.  Wash  and  polish  with  a clean  towel,  and  pile  in  a china  fruit- 
basket,  with  an  eye  to  agreeable  variety  of  color,  and  place  in  a con- 
spicuous part  of  the  table. 

Peaches  and  Pears.  Pick  out  the  finest,  handling  as  little  as  may 
be,  and  pile  upon  a salver  or  flat  dish.  A pretty  dish  of  fruit  is  an  open 
silver  basket,  wide  at  the  top,  heaped  with  rich  red  peaches  and  yellow 
Bartlett  pears.  Send  around  powdered  sugar  with  the  fruit,  as  many  like 
to  dip  peaches  and  pears  in  it  after  paring  and  quartering  them.  It  is 
almost  an  insult  to  a luscious  peach  to  sugar  it. 

Baked  Apples . Put  the  apples  into  shallow  pans,  pour  in  a very 
little  water,  and  bake  in  a slow  oven.  Sweet  apples  should  be  baked  slowly 
and  until  thoroughly  done.  They  are  easily  digested  and  fattening. 
Should  be  eaten  without  sugar  and  with  cream ; for  children,  with  bread 
and  milk. 

Another.  Pare  rich,  sour  apples  and  extract  the  cores  ; set  them  in  a 
shallow  pan,  and  fill  the  holes  from  which  the  cores  were  taken  with 
sugar,  and  bake  slowly  till  soft. 

Apple-Sauce.  Slice  or  quarter  tart  apples,  and  stew  and  sweeten 
without  stirring,  so  that  the  sauce  may  not  have  the  appearance  of  mush, 
but  may  be  inviting  to  the  eye.  Display  it  upon  the  table  in  a handsome 
glass  dish.  Apples  may  be  served  in  various  other  forms  that  will  sug- 
gest themselves  to  the  ingenious  mind.  They  are  our  best  fruit,  and 
should  be  used  lavishly  by  children  and  all  who  are  adopting  a remedial 
course  of  living. 

All  fruits  should  be  cooked  in  a porcelain-lined  kettle. 

CRANBERRY  SAUCE. 

Pick  over  the  cranberries  carefully,  add  a tablespoonful  or 
so  of  water,  sweeten  to  taste ; simmer  slowly  until  the  berry 


44 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


cracks  open  and  becomes  thoroughly  saturated  with  the  sugar. 
When  properly  done  the  berries  are  little  broken  and  have  a 
deep  rich  color.  Serve  with  fowl  and  all  other  meats  in  place 
of  pickles.  Cranberries  are  an  antiseptic,  and  are  far  too  little 
used. 

Dried  fruits  should  be  cooked  with  exquisite  care. 

BREAD. 

Flour  should  be  fresh.  Buy  little  at  a time,  lest  it  become 
musty.  It  should  be  perfectly  protected  from  dust  and  all  pos- 
sible suggestion  of  untidiness.  The  flour  should  always  be 
freshly  sifted  for  bread  and  all  other  cookery.  The  bread  bowl 
should  be  clean  j and  the  bread  should  be  kneaded  upon  it, 
and  not  upon  a suspicious-looking  table.  It  is  a nice  thing  to 
make  a batch  of  excellent  bread.  Very  nice  judgment  is  re- 
quired to  decide  the  auspicious  moment  when  the  sponge  is  at 
its  best  stage  for  moulding,  and  the  degree  of  acidity  that  re- 
quires the  soda  corrective,  or  rather  the  exact  management 
which  would  avoid  such  corrective. 

Bro  wn  Bread  of  some  kind  should  appear  upon  the  table 
at  each  meal.  It  can  be  made  so  delicious  that  white  bread 
will  seem  insipid  beside  it.  If  brown  bread  becomes  a drug  in 
the  family,  one  may  be  sure  that  the  cook  has  failed  to  make  a 
good  article. 

Brown  Bread.  To  three  pints  of  water  put  a handful  of  hops,  and 
boil  them  half  an  hour ; put  into  your  yeast  pot  or  jar  six  tablespoon fuls 
of  flour  and  one  teaspoonful  of  salt ; set  your  jar  near  the  kettle,  and  dip 
the  hop  tea  into  the  jar  through  a sieve  or  colander.  When  you  have 
strained  enough  to  wet  all  the  flour,  stir  it  well,  and  then  strain  upon  it 
the  rest  of  the  hop  water.  The  mixture  should  be  about  the  consistency 
of  hatter  for  griddle-cakes.  When  it  is  cool,  not  cold,  stir  in  a gill  of  good 
yeast ; set  it  in  a warm  place  ; do  not  cover  it  close.  When  fermented, 
put  it  in  a cool  place,  and  cover  close.  This  is  the  yeast  from  which  we 
set  our  white  bread  at  evening.  The  next  morning  we  take  a good  hand- 
ful of  the  dough,  put  it  in  a large  yellow  howl,  and  add  a teaspoonful  of 
salt,  a half  cup  of  molasses,  a pint  of  lukewarm  water,  and  enough  Gra- 
ham flour,  making  a dough  softer  than  for  white  bread  ; set  it  to  rise  and 
bake.  We  do  not  knead  this  bread.  This  makes  two  loaves.  Brown 
bread  is  not  improved  by  sugar. 

Mrs.  N.’s  Brown  Bread.  Three  cups  freshly  ground  Indian  meal, 


DR.  JENKINS  GRAHAM  CRACKERS. 


45 


two  cups  unbolted  rye  meal,  half  a cup  sour  milk,  three  cups  sweet  milk, 
two-thirds  cup  molasses,  one  teaspoonful  salt,  two  of  soda.  Steam  in 
a covered  vessel  six  hours  ; water  is  not  to  cease  boiling  during  the  time. 
This  bread  may  be  eaten  warm.  After  it  is  a day  old,  it  may  be  sliced, 
laid  in  pans  and  heated,  to  be  eaten  with  butter  or  milk.  It  is  delicious. 
(The  lady  who  furnished  the  above  recipe  is  the  mother  of  six  children, 
nearly  fifty  years  of  age,  has  her  own  teeth,  and  has  not  an  observable 
gray  hair,  though  it  is  like  a raven’s  wing  in  hue.  She  is  a Yankee 
woman,  and  has  eaten  rye  and  Indian  bread  from  birth.) 

ANOTHER. 

Hr  own  Bread . The  sweetest  bread  ever  made.  Take  three  pints  of 
coarse  yellow  corn  meal,  scald  it  with  three  pints  and  a half  of  boiling 
water,  add  two  pints  of  coarse  rye  meal  after  the  corn  has  cooled.  Knead 
thoroughly  with  the  hands.  Take  it  out  into  a stoneware  crock,  or  pot, 
which  is  a little  larger  at  the  top.  The  quantity  here  given  will  take  a 
vessel  which  holds  five  or  six  quarts.  Place  it  immediately  in  the  oven 
after  smoothing  over  the  top  with  a spoon  frequently  dipped  in  cold, 
water.  Cover  with  a stone  or  iron  plate,  and  have  but  little  heat  in  the 
oven.  It  should  take  three  hours  to  begin  to  bake,  then  bake  slowly  four 
hours.  Leave  the  loaf  in  until  the  oven  cools  off,  if  it  is  several  hours, 
longer.  It  should  be.  dark-colored,  light,  and  firm,  with  a good,  soft  crust.. 
A round-bottomed  iron  kettle  will  do  to  bake  in.  Try  it. 

Brown  flour,  or  wheat  meal,  should  be  made  from  the  best  winter 
wheat. 

If  the  following  recipes  prove  a failure,  it  will  be  because  the  wheat  is 
poor  or  the  oven  be  not  hot  enough  when  the  bread  is  placed  in  it. 

No.  1 . Gems.  Into  cold  water  stir  Graham. flour  sufficient  to  make  a 
batter  a trifle  thicker  than  that  used  for  ordinary  griddle-cakes.  Bake 
from  one-half  to  three  quarters  of  an  hour  in  a hot  oven  in  small  tin  patty- 
pans two  inches  square  and  three-fourths  of  an  inch  deep. 

No.  2.  Stir  Graham  flour  into  soft  cold  water,  making  a batter  a trifle 
thicker  than  for  griddle-cakes.  The  exact  proportions  cannot  be  given, 
as  flour  will  swell  more  at  some  times  than  at  others.  Drop  from  a spoon 
into  the  cups  of  the  bread  pans,  which  are  already  heated,  and  bake  in  a 
hot  oven.  Take  them  from  the  pan  as  soon  as  they  are  done  and  arrange 
them  on  plates,  taking  care  that  no  weight  rests  upon  them  to  make  them 
heavy. 

No.  3 is  same  as  No.  2,  save  using  milk  instead  of  water,  and  the  addi- 
tion of  one  or  two  eggs  beaten  to  a froth.  The  batter  for  No.  3 should 
be  made  thinner  than  No.  2. 

Dr.  J enkins’  Graham,  Crackers.  Procure  the  whitest  and  clean- 
est wheat  (Canada  wheat  is  best),  have  the  crackers  made  by  a baker.  Mix 
with  nothing  but  pure,  soft  water,  and  thoroughly  reduce  the  mass  in  a 


46 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


baker’s  break, as  for  making  other  crackers.  Have  them  rolled  very  thin, 
no  more  than  half  as  thick  as  soda  crackers,  cut  in  the  form  and  size  of 
soda  crackers,  and  bake  quickly  until  a pale  yellow.  These  will  keep 
six  months  if  placed  in  a dry,  cool,  sweet  store-room.  They  are  fresher 
and  more  tender  to  place  them  in  a hot  oven  a few  moments  before  bring- 
ing them  to  the  table.  The  use  of  Graham  crackers,  made  as  above,  will 
whiten  the  teeth. 

Nonpareil  Corn  Bread . Two  heaping  cups  of  Indian  meal;  one 
cup  of  Hour  ; three  eggs  ; two-and-a-lialf  cups  milk  ; one  tablespoonful 
butter ; two  tablespoonfuls  white  sugar ; one  teaspoonful  soda  ; two  tea- 
spoonfuls cream-tartar;  one  teaspoonful  salt.  Beat  the  eggs  very  thor- 
oughly— whites  and  yolks  separately — melt  the  butter,  sift  the  cream- 
tartar  and  soda  into  the  meal  and  flour  while  yet  dry,  and  stir  this  in  at 
the  last.  Theu  beat  the  whole  furiously.  Bake  quickly  and  steadily  in 
a buttered  mould.  Less  than  half  an  hour  will  usually  suffice.  In  cut- 
ting com  bread  hold  the  knife  perpendicularly  and  cut  toward  you. 

Another.  One  pint  sour  milk;  one  egg  ; one  teaspoonful  soda  ; one 
teaspoonful  salt ; four  teaspoonfuls  white  sugar.  Bake  instantly,  and  eat 
warm. 

It  is  a positive  delight  to  be  able  to  make  elegant  biscuit,  as 
well  as  an  accomplishment  that  one  cannot  afford  to  be  with- 
out. 

Risen  Biscuit.  One  quart,  milk;  three-fourths  cup  butter;  three-fourths 
cup  yeast ; two  tablespoonfuls  white  sugar ; one  teaspoonful  salt ; flour  to 
make  a soft  dough.  Mix  over  night,  warming  the  milk  slightly  and 
melting  the  lard  or  butter.  In  the  morning,  roll  out  into  a sheet  three- 
quarters  of  an  inch  in  thickness;  cut  into  round  cakes,  set  these  closely 
together  in  a pan,  let  them  rise  for  twenty  minutes,  and  bake  twenty 
minutes.  These  delightful  biscuits  are  even  better  if  the  above  ingre- 
dients be  set  with  half  as  much  flour,  in  the  form  of  a thin  sponge,  and 
the  rest  of  the  flour  be  worked  in  five  hours  later.  Let  this  rise  five 
hours  more,  and  proceed  as  already  directed.  This  is  the  best  plan  if  the 
biscuit  are  intended  for  tea. 

Airs.  E.’s  Soda  Biscuit.  One  quart  flour;  two  heaping  table- 
spoonfuls of  butter  ; two  cups  sweet — if  you  can  get  it — new  milk ; one 
teaspoonful  of  soda ; two  teaspoonfuls  cream-tartar  ; one  saltspoonful  of 
salt.  Rub  the  soda  and  cream-tartar  into  the  flour,  and  sift  all  together 
before  they  are  wet ; then  put  in  the  salt ; next  the  butter,  rubbed  into 
the  prepared  flour  quickly  and  lightly  ; lastly,  pour  in  the  milk.  Work 
out  the  dough  rapidly,  kneading  with  as  few  strokes  as  possible,  since 
handling  injures  the  biscuit.  If  properly  prepared  the  dough  will  have 
a rough  surface,  and  the  biscuit  be  flaky.  The  dough  should  also  be 


CRACKED  WHEAT. 


47 


very  soft.  If  the  flour  stiffen  it  too  much,  add  more  milk.  Roll  out 
lightly,  cut  into  cakes  at  least  half  an  inch  thick,  and  hake  in  a quick 
oven.  The  biscuit  thus  made  are  marvels  of  lightness  and  sweetness. 

Graham  Biscuit,  Three  cups  Graham  flour  , one  cup  white  ; three 
cups  milk  ; two  tablespoonfuls  butter  ; one  heaping  tablespoonful  white 
sugar;  one  saltspoonfulof  salt  ; one  teaspoonful  soda  ; two  teaspoonfuls 
cream-tartar.  Mix  and  bake  as  you  do  the  white  soda-biscuit  (Mrs. 
E — - — ’s).  They  are  good  cold  as  well  as  hot. 

Graham  Muffins.  Three  cups  Graham  flour  ; one  cup  white  flour  ; 
one  quart  of  milk  ; three-fourths  cup  yeast ; one  tablespoonful  lard  or 
butter  ; one  teaspoonful  salt  ; two  tablespoonfuls  sugar.  Set  to  rise  over 
night,  and  bake  in  muffin-rings  twenty  minutes  in  a quick  oven.  Eat 
hot. 

No.  Jo  Graham  Mush.  Stir  slowly  into  fast  boiling  water,  sprinkle 
from  the  hand  sufficient  Graham  flour  to  make  a thin  pudding.  Let  it 
boil  five  or  ten  minutes,  and  it  is  done.  If  set  away  from  the  fire  a few 
minutes  before  taking  up,  it  will  cleave  readily  from  the  kettle,  leaving 
it  more  easily  to  be  washed.  Very  much  depends  on  the  manner  of  mak- 
ing ; as  from  the  same  materials  a most  delicate  dish  may  be  made,  or 
one  not  fit  to  eat.  Add  salt  to  suit  the  taste. 

No.  2.  Graham  Mash.  Mix  part  of  the  flour  for  the  pudding  into  a 
smooth,  thin  batter  with  cold  water,  which  pour  into  boiling  water,  taking 
care  that  so  small  a quantity  is  poured  in  as  shall  not  stop  the  boiling ; a 
part  may  be  put  in  first,  and  when  it  boils  up  again  put  in  the  remainder. 
Continue  this  process  until  the  mush  is  of  sufficient  thickness.  Salt  to 
taste. 

Oatmeal  Mush.  Made  the  same  as  No.  2 Graham  mush.  After  it 
has  been  boiled  and  stirred  fifteen  minutes,  cover  and  set  it  where  it  will 
slowly  simmer  for  one  hour.  Serve  hot.  This  is  an  excellent  article  for 
infants  and  young  children — much  better  than  the  farina,  which  is  so 
extensively  employed. 

Indian  meal  Mush.  White  and  yellow  corn  meal  are  made  into  the 
well-known  mush  called  hasty  pudding.  Either  kind  is  equally  agree- 
able to  most  persons.  It  should  be  stirred  very  gradually  into  boiling 
water,  so  as  to  prevent  lumping ; it  should  be  cooked  from  one  to  two 
hours.  Salt  to  suit  taste.  Very  few  people  outside  of  New  England 
appreciate  the  fact  that  corn  meal  requires  long  cooking. 

Cracked  Wheat.  A very  good  food  for  well  persons  who  like  it,  but 
not  so  easily  digested  by  weak  stomachs.  Take  clean,  plump  winter 
wheat,  or  if  this  is  not  to  be  had,  the  best  that  can  be  obtained.  In  five 
quarts  of  boiling  water  stir  one  quart  of  the  grain  and  boil  moderately 
for  four  or  five  hours  ; stir  occasionally  to  prevent  burning.  It  is  better 
to  cook  in  a double  boiler,  so  as  to  run  no  risk  of  burning  it. 


48 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


Oatmeal  Porridge.  Take  two  or  three  handfuls  of  meal,  mixed, 
coarse  and  fine,  in  proportion  of  one-third  latter  to  two  of  the  former. 
Mix  in  a basin  of  cold  water,  and  pour  into  a pan  containing  about  a quart 
of  boiling  water,  adding  a small  portion  of  salt.  Set  on  the  fire,  and  keep 
Stirring,  adding  from  time  to  time  small  doses  of  meal  until  it  boils,  and 
has  acquired  a proper  consistency,  which  may  be  known  by  its  glutinous 
state,  as  it  drops  from  the  spoon.  Let  it  simmer  ten  minutes,  then  pour 
into  common  dinner  plates.  Spoon  out  portions  and  float  in  new  milk, 
adding  sugar  to  taste.  Delicious  to  think  or  sleep  on. 

Buckwheat  Cakes.  One  quart  of  buckwheat  flour  and  half  a pint 
of  Graham  meal.  Mix  with  lukewarm  water  into  a batter,  stir  in  a tea- 
cupful of  good  yeast  sponge,  or  a half  cent’s  worth  of  baker’s  yeast ; mix 
in  an  earthen  or  stone  vessel,  and  set  over  night  in  a warm  place  to  rise. 
If  the  temperature  and  yeast  have  been  just  right,  the  batter  will  be 
light  and  sweet,  and  not  need  soda.  It  should  be  considered  a mistake 
when  the  ferment  needs  neutralizing,  and  care  taken  to  set  cooler  or  cor- 
rect the  yeast.  Buckwheat  cakes  in  winter  are  not  objectionable,  occa- 
sionally. Use  beef  drippings  for  the  griddle. 

Buckwheat  Cakes.  One  quart  buckwheat  flour  ; four  tablespoon- 
fuls yeast;  one  teaspoonful  salt ; one  handful  Indian  meal;  two  table- 
spoonfuls molasses — not  syrup  ; warm  water  enough  to  make  a thin  bat- 
ter. Beat  very  well,  and  set  to  rise  in  a warm  place.  If  the  batter  is  in 
the  least  sour  in  the  morning,  stir  in  a very  little  soda,  dissolved  in  hot 
water.  Mix  in  an  earthen  crock,  and  leave  some  in  the  bottom  each 
morning — a cupful  or  so — to  serve  as  sponge  for  the  next  night,  instead 
of  getting  fresh  yeast.  In  cold  weather  this  plan  can  be  successfully  pur- 
sued for  a week  or  ten  days  without  setting  a new  supply.  Of  course 
you  add  the  usual  quantity  of  flour,  etc.,  every  night,  and  beat  up  well. 
Do  not  make  your  cakes  too  small.  Buckwheats  should  be  of  generous 
size.  Some  put  two-thirds  buckwheat  and  one-third  oatmeal,  omitting 
the  Indian. 


PIES. 

Use  pies  rarely.  Let  the  crust  be  made  of  the  best  butter, 
or  of  cream  slightly  sour. 

The  easiest  crust  to  make,  and  an  excellent  one,  is  composed 
of  flour  wet  in  cream,  in  such  proportions  as  one  chooses  or 
can  afford — the  more  cream  the  richer.  Sour  cream  needs  a 
little  soda.  When  once  accustomed  to  these  simple  shorten- 
ings, the  grosser  preparations  of  crust  with  lard  are,  to  say  the 
least,  quite  distasteful. 

Among  the  common  pies  are  apple,  berry,  custard  and  pump- 


CAKE. 


49 


kin.  The  apples  should  be  of  the  best  quality,  and  very  tart 
for  the  best  results.  The  berries'  fresh  and  perfect.  House- 
keepers make  a mistake  in  using  poor  articles  for  cooking.  A 
little  that  is  good  is  better  than  much  that  is  poor. 

Martha’s  Pumpkin  Pie.  Select  a pumpkin  which  has  a deep,  rich 
color,  and  firm,  close  texture.  Out  in  small  pieces,  add  a few  spoonfuls 
of  water,  cover  close  and  stew  until  it  is  dry  and  very  brown — almost 
scorched.  Near  the  last,  frequently  stir  to  prevent  burning  to  bottom 
of  kettle.  Pass  it  through  a coarse  sieve  while  it  is  yet  hot. 

Allow  two  eggs  to  a moderate-sized  pie  ; thin  with  new  milk  ; add 
white  sugar,  salt,  and  spice  to  taste — the  less  of  the  latter  the  better. 

Pies  are  usually  made  abominable  by  over-sweetening,  and  by  spice 
and  lard. 

Custard  Pies . Allow  four  eggs  to  a pie,  beaten  to  a froth,  new  milk, 
white  sugar,  a pinch  of  salt,  no  spice,  a cream  crust,  and  immediate 
baking.  All  pies,  save  pumpkin  and  mince,  should  be  eaten  as  soon  as 
they  are  cool. 

PUDDINGS, 

with  their  brandy,  wine  and  butter  sauces,  are  favorable  to 
doctors’  bills,  if  not  intemperance.  They  should  always  be 
taken  with  conscientious  discrimination. 

Baked  Indian  Pudding.  Eight  tablespoonfuls  of  Indian  meal, 
stirred  into  three  pints  of  scalding  milk.  Be  careful  to  scald  the  meal 
without  letting  it  boil.  Add  one  pint  cold  milk,  one  small  teacup  of  molas- 
ses, a- little  salt.  Bake  slowly  four  or  six  hours.  If  cooked  just  right,  a 
jelly-like  whey  will  be  found  in  it,  and  the  pudding  will  have  a rich 
golden  brown  tint.  Stoned  raisins  may  be  added  to  this  pudding  if 
agreeable. 

Mrs,  Witt’s  Pudding.  Line  a quart  tin  dish,  two  and  a half  inches 
deep,  with  a crust  made  of  slightly  sour  cream,  a pinch  of  soda  and 
Graham  flour,  then  fill  with  elegant  canned  plums,  cover  with  a crust, 
bake  about  an  hour,  or  until  it  is  done,  and  serve  with  thick  cream  and 
powdered  sugar. 

One  can  eat  Mrs.  Witt’s  pudding  with  a clear  conscience, 
which  is  a comfort  not  often  experienced  in  the  pudding  de- 
partment. 

CAKE 

is  so  objectionable  that  T append  hut  one  recipe  for  it,  and 
that  is  so  difficult  to  make,  that  I trust  few  of  my  readers  will 
find  time  to  experiment  with  it.  However,  sponge-cake  is  the 
least  objectionable  of  cake. 


4 


50 


STEPS  TOWARD  A TRUE  LIFE. 


Mrs.  Mfs  Sponge  Cake.  Twelve  eggs,  the  weight  of  the  eggs  in 
sugar,  half  their  weight  in  flour,- one  lemon,  juice  and  rind. 

Beat  yolks  and  whites  very  light,  the  sugar  into  the  former  when  they 
are  smooth  and  stiff  ; nest,  the  j uice  and  grated  peel  of  the  lemon,  then 
the  flour  ; lastly,  the  beaten  whites,  very  lightly. 

The  lady  who  furnished  this  recipe  was  celebrated  among  her  acquaint 
ances  for  her  beautiful  and  delicious  sponge-cake. 

SOUPS. 

The  chief  fault  with  soups  as  they  usually  appear  upon  the 
table  is  their  poorness,  their  lack  of  genuine  flavor,  their  lack 
ol  body;  They  usually  appear  to  be  highly  seasoned  niuddy- 
looking  water,  with  a bit  of  vegetable  or  sprigs  of  some  green 
herb  sailing  around  in  them.  Nor  does  the  experiment  of 
tasting  the  liquid  always  disprove  the  appearance. 

Soups  require  many  hours  for  preparation.  Meat  is  the 
basis  of  most  soups,  and  their  excellence  depends  largely  upon 
the  presence  of  the  juices  of  the  meat.  The  juices  of  meat  can- 
not be  extracted,  except  after  much  soaking  and  long  exposure 
to  heat ; hence  the  necessity  of  time  in  making  soups. 

Beef  Soup.  The  stock  (or  base  of  the  soup)  must  be  prepared  the  day 
before  it  is  needed.  The  beef,  bones,  marrow  and  all,  must  be  placed  in 
cold  water  in  a close  vessel,  and  heated  gradually.  Do  not  boil  at  all, 
only  simmer  it  for  six  or  eight  hours.  The  meat  will  be  worthless,  since 
its  juices  are  all  abstracted,  so  should  not  be  used  for  mince  pies  or  hash. 
Remove  all  scraps  of  bone,  etc.,  and  add  such  vegetables  as  are  pre- 
ferred— not  too  many  of  them  however.  Boil  them  until  done,  and  strain 
through  a colander  and  season  to  taste — a little  salt  is  sufficient.  Pepper 
and  the  like  only  add  so  much  harm  to  an  otherwise  valuable  compound. 

Tomato  Soup  is  simple  beef  soup,  flavored  by  tomatoes. 

Bean  Soup.  Let  the  beans  soak  over  night.  Early  in  the  morning 
drain  them,  and  add  fresh  water  in  abundance.  Place  them  in  a closely 
covered  kettle  and  simmer  eight  hours.  Pass  the  whole  through  a fine 
colander,  salt,  scald  once  more,  and  just  before  removing  the  soup  from 
the  kettle,  add  some  new  milk,  fresh  cream,  or.  in  the  absence  of  either, 
a bit  of  butter.  This  soup  is  improved  by  warming  over  from  day  to  day. 
It  is  good  for  men  in  every  employment,  for  weak  women  and  delicate 
children.  It  is  the  queen  of  soups. 

FISH. 

Fish  should  be  broiled  or  baked,  if  one  would  secure  its  most 


VEGETABLES. 


51 


delicious  flavor.  The  halibut  (save  the  head)  is  an  exception 
to  this  rule.  Fish  should  be  fresh  rather  than  salt. 

MEAT. 

Tough  meat  is  a reflection  upon  the  skill  of  a housekeeper. 
Beef  that  is  too  tough  to  broil  or  roast  should  be  stewed  care- 
fully, when,  by  seasoning  and  .nice  gravy,  it  furnishes  a health- 
ful and  delicious  dish.  The  commoner  varieties  of  beef  may  be 
thus  made  available. 

Steaks  should  be  cut  an  inch  thick  and  broiled,  not  f ried. 

Pressed  Beef.  Take  six  or  eight  pounds  of  fat  beef,  slightly  corned, 
boil  slowly,  but  thoroughly,  until  the  meat  drops  from  the  bones. 
Remove  to  a deep  yellow  dish  of  sufficient  size,  and  press  it,  draining  off 
the  water  from  time  to  time.  Let  the  pressure  remain  until  morning,  and 
you  have  a delicious  mass  of  tender  beef  in  good  shape  for  slicing. 

Gravies.  The  objection  to  gravies  is  mostly  without  foundation. 
Gravies  should  be  made  of  the  juices  of  meats,  nicely  thickened  with  flour. 
Exquisite  gravies  require  a skill  for  their  production  that  the  common 
cook  rarely  possesses.  The  old-fashioned  turkey  gravy,  made  from 
perfectly  cooked  “giblets”  and  juice  of  the  turkey,  is  a luxury  that 
modern  housewifery  rarely  exhibits. 

Poached  Eggs.  The  best  way  is  to  drop  them  into  a shallow  pan  of 
hot  water,  taking  care  not  to  break  the  yolk  in  dropping  from  the  shell. 
As  soon  as  the  white  is  cooked  enough  to  hold  together,  take  them  up, 
laying  them  side  by  side  on  a platter. 

Boiled  Eggs.  Put  them  in  the  shell  in  boiling  water,  allowing  them 
to  remain  three  minutes  if  they  are  preferred  rare  done,  and  five  minutes 
to  cook  the  yolk. 

Another  Way.  Put  them  into  boiling  water  and  let  them  remain, 
without  boiling,  seven  minutes  ; or  they  may  be  put  into  cold  water  over 
the  fire,  and  when  it  first  boils  they  are  done.  The  whole  egg  is  thus 
cooked  more  evenly  through  than  when  allowed  to  boil. 

Fried  Eggs.  Drop  an  egg  from  the  shell  into  each  of  the  separate 
cups  of  the  bread  pans,  previously  heated  and  rubbed  smooth  with  a 
small  quantity  of  fresh  butter.  Let  them  remain  over  heat  until  the 
white  is  cooked,  and  then,  without  turning,  remove  them  with  a broad- 
bladed  knife  to  a platter  to  serve.  Salt  each  egg. 

Eggs  thus  fried  are  far  more  delicate  than  when  fried  in  the  ordinary 
way.  Do  not  allow  the  whites  to  cook  too  much. 

VEGETABLES. 

The  chief  point  to  be  kept  in  view  in  cooking  vegetables  is 


52 


STEPS  TOWAED  A TRUE  LIFE. 


to  cook  them  thoroughly.  Potatoes,  corn,  beans  and  peas  rarely 
get  the  precise  amount  of  cooking  that  good  digestion  calls  for. 
A potato,  that  is  soggy,  solid,  or  not  perfectly  soft,  should  be 
rejected  as  unfit  to  eat. 

Potatoes  fried  to  a crisp  in  hog’s  lard  are  an  abomination 
that  should  never  pass  between  human  lips. 

Most  vegetables  are  inferior  food  that  one  is  better  off  with- 
out. Potatoes  are  among  the  best  of  this  class  of  edibles. 
Beans  are  the  exception  to  this  rule. 

Lima  Leans.  They  are  prepared  by  abundant  cooking-,  salt,  cream, 
or  butter,  and  are  a valuable  substitute  for  much  of  the  vegetable  trash 
that  finds  its  way  to  our  tables. 

Mrs.  N.’s  LaJcecl  Leans . Parboil  one  quart  of  dry,  best  quality  of 
beans  (the  dark-colored  beans  are  the  richest)  until  the  skins  crack  when 
taken  from  the  water  with  a spoon,  and  slightly  blown  by  the  mouth. 
Rinse  in  a couple  of  waters. 

To  them  add  one  pound  of  very  fat -best  cut  of  beef,  and  sufficient  salt 
(beans  should  be  salted  during  the  cooking  process,  and  not  at  table, 
otherwise  they  taste  “ flat”).  Bake  in  a'tightly-covered  stone  pot  twelve 
hours.  They  may  be  put  in  the  oven  early  Saturday  morning  and  baked 
all  day,  loft  in  over  night,  and  baked  until  breakfast  is  ready  Sunday 
morning.  See  that  they  have  plenty  of  water.  Bake  in  a .moderate  oven 
If  properly  done,  they  will  have  a golden-brown  tint,  even  if  they  were 
milk-white  when  put  to  baking.  I never  saw  any  but  a Yankee  woman 
who  could  cook  beans  that  tasted  right  or  digested  well.  The  skill 
needed  to  bake  beans  is  like  the  idiom  of  a language,  it  must  bo  bred  in 
the  girl,  or  its  finer  shades  of  meaning  cannot  be  appreciated. 


* 


